Two rockets hit Kabul early yesterday on the third day of a crucial convention to adopt a new constitution, as delegates warned that Afghanistan risks being plunged back into civil war again unless it backs a strong president.
One rocket hit a house near the airport causing damage but no casualties, Kabul police chief General Baba Jan said as Taliban militants claimed responsibility and warned of further attacks to disrupt the constitutional Loya Jirga (grand assembly).
The location of the second rocket was not yet known, he said.
"We warn of more attacks on Kabul city today and tonight," a Taliban spokesman who identified himself as Abdul Samad said in a satellite telephone call. "The main target is the Loya Jirga but if that's not possible, anywhere in Kabul," he said.
Kabul airport is several kilometers away from the tightly guarded polytechnic institute where the assembly to hammer out Afghanistan's constitution is underway in a huge white tent.
Debate on the war-shattered country's new constitution was due to get underway amid sharp differences over the most suitable system of future government for Afghanistan.
Delegates interviewed during Monday's session were divided between supporters of the current draft and those who would rather see a parliamentary system to counterbalance the president.
"We want a strong presidential government which suits the present situation of Afghanistan," said Haji Ghulam Khan, a delegate from eastern Laghman province.
"A strong parliamentary system can only be successful if the country has strong political parties which we lack," he said.
"Those who claim they are political parties in Afghanistan are all armed militia factions who lack political skills and would lead the country towards crisis again," he said.
Khan was referring to the 1992-96 civil war between former anti-Soviet factions which led to the Taliban being initially welcomed as bringing a semblance of law and order.
Haji Abdul Satar from northeast Kunar said "the only way to govern this country and put things on the right path is to have a strong presidential system."
The 502 delegates to the Loya Jirga which opened Sunday are to debate and, if all goes according to plan, ratify the constitution which will pave the way for the country's first democratic elections, scheduled for June next year.
President Hamid Karzai has repeatedly said he will only stand in the presidential polls if the Loya Jirga approves the presidential system laid down in the draft document.
But some delegates said Afghanistan needed a strong parliamentary system with a prime minister to meet the criteria for democracy.
"We want a democracy-based government which guarantees transparency, accountability and ensures the people's rule," said Mustafa Atamadi, a delegate from central Uruzgan province.
"A government with a strong parliament is what the people that I represent want," said Abdullah Shinwari from northern Baghlan province.
Another delegate from eastern Afghanistan said Karzai should reach a compromise.
"President Hamid Karzai should compromise with those who support the prime ministerial system and agree on the establishment of a temporary parliament composed of Loya Jirga delegates so that they would support his presidential government," said Nangarhar delegate Abdullah, who like many Afghans has just one name.
Several delegates said they had the impression that talks had been taking place behind the scenes to bring the two sides closer to agreement.
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