Iraq National Conference To Open July 31

BAGHDAD, July 27 (AFP) - Iraq's first democratic experiment in decades, a conference to appoint a consultative council to the interim government, will open next week, Iraqi officials and a UN adviser said Tuesday.
Chairman of the conference's preparatory committee, Fuad Massum, told a news conference the three-day event would open on July 31.
"There was an idea by the United Nations to postpone the conference for further preparation," he said.
"Although we value the UN's role we were faced with a legal dilemma because the country's interim law says the conference must be held in July," he added.
"In addition to the legal aspects, our credibility is on the line and any delay would be viewed negatively," the chairman said.
A UN adviser to the conference confirmed to AFP that the meeting would begin on July 31.