IRAQ - Nov. 29 -IGC Examines Shiite Concerns.

The IGC begins meetings to consider changes to the programme to restore self-government at the Shaikh Badr mosque in a Shiite stronghold of Baghdad. "The transitional assembly has to be elected by the people, not selected", says Majed Juma'a Al-Zahed, a Shiite former political prisoner. He adds: "We don't support the US - but for now it is not our enemy. But if the time given by Sistani expires and they haven't done what he asked for, then things could change". Current IGC Chairman Talabani, who met Sistani on Nov. 27, told the FT the Shiite religious leaders backed the outlines of the new political plan, which will lead to the formation of a provisional government that assumes Iraqi sovereignty. Talabani, however, said the "mechanism" for choosing the transitional assembly was contested by Sistani, whose support is crucial. Sistani also wants to ensure that the Basic Law, or interim constitution, reflects Iraq's Muslim identity. "Mr Sistani wants some form of direct election for the assembly and has questioned in particular the role of the provincial councils in nominating caucus members. Talabani said other Iraqi leaders also had misgivings about the councils formed in Iraq's 18 provinces. He cited one example where a tribal council head had included more than 20 members of his own family in the council. (US concern to keep the Shiites on board led Bremer to make sweeping changes to his plans for a handover of power, by bowing in principle to Sistani's demand that delegates drafting a constitution be elected. The permanent constitution will be written after a transitional assembly and government are formed. The powerful role of Shiite theologians outside the IGC has caused unease among leaders of the Sunni minority. "The Governing Council is competent to take its own decisions, without having to depend on the interference of advice from outside", said Mohsen Abdul Hamid, the representative of the Sunni Iraqi Islamic Party on the IGC.