Iraqis opposed to U.S.-backed interim government won't attend conference,

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

CAIRO, Egypt – Top U.S. and Iraqi officials said Wednesday that Iraq's delegation to next month's international conference on Iraq would only include members of the interim government and that Iraqis opposed to the American-backed administration would not be welcome.

There was wide debate among conference participants over whether Iraqi opposition groups should be allowed to attend. France, which strongly opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, has called for a broader gathering. Egypt, which will host the gathering, suggested Wednesday the issue was still not resolved.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State William Burns said the conference, scheduled for Nov. 22-23 in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, should focus on stabilizing Iraq.

"While it is one thing to provide a strong message of support for an inclusive political process among Iraqis, this meeting, as we understand it, is focused on government representatives," Burns told reporters after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday.

In Baghdad, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari also said opposition movements would not be welcome.

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http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20041020-1638-egypt-iraqiconference.html

[Moderator]

1. Duplicate

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