(12 Dec 2003)
1. Mountainside of Loya Jirga site at Kabul Polytechnic
2. Security in pickup truck outside site
3. Afghan National Army soldier wearing sunglasses, pulls out
4. ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) soldier on guard outside Jirga tent within Jirga site, delegates passing
5. Wide soldier on guard with delegates passing
6. Security check point at entrance to Jirga tent
7. Man being searched, pulls out
8. Delegates entering security search point
9. Wide exterior Jirga tent
10. Close up hammer striking nail
11. Contractors doing last minute carpentry work for Jirga tent
12. Close up man's face
13. Man sawing table legs
14. Sign reads "No Weapons" outside Jirga tent
15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Abdullah, Jirga delegate:
"It might take probably about four to five weeks and there would be a lot of debate, but I believe that at the end of the day all Afghans realise that since we have been so much, that at this forum that is taking place we have to come to some agreement."
16. SOUNDBITE: (Pashtu) Mehmood Khan, Jirga delegate from the Pashtun Suleiman Khel (tribe):
"Since the Bonn process, there have been many Jirgas so we aren't that optimistic about this one. A lot of decisions have already been taken. I can only hope that in this one the decision of the people is the one that prevails."
17. Delegates and press milling inside Jirga tent
18. Press and delegates
19. Close up hands
20. Pan of sound and vision mixing control desk with Jirga auditorium
21. Pan of seats in Jirga tent where delegates will sit
22. SOUNDBITE: (English) Farooq Wardak, Loya Jirga Secretary:
"As far as the duration of the Loya Jirga is concerned, for 10 days, we understand, based on our calculation this is enough. But if the Loya Jirga itself decide to extend it by a day or two or whatever, we will be in their service and this will be their decision."
23. Wide shot Wardak
Presidential Office
24. Afghan president Hamid Karzai arriving at Presidential office
25. SOUNDBITE: (Dari) Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan:
"If there is a parliamentary system, I will not be a candidate. But If the system is presidential then I will put myself forward. The draft of the constitution will be handed over to the delegates during the Loya Jirga and they will decide."
26. Security
27. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan:
"The shorter the better because each day takes 50-thousand dollars."
28. Presidential office
STORYLINE:
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said he would not seek re-election if an upcoming constitutional council enshrine a parliamentary system in talks set to begin this weekend, but reiterated that he
would stand if a presidential system prevails.
A loya jirga, or grand council, is set to convene on Saturday, with delegates debating a 50-page draft constitution put forward last month by Karzai's government.
The draft envisions a powerful president and a bicameral legislature - similar to the US system of government - but delegates can amend the draft in their meetings.
Some have criticized the draft for putting too much control in the hands of one person: It makes the president commander in chief of the military, and allows him to appoint one-third of the legislature's upper house and name judges, military officers, police and national security officials.
Critics have called for a parliamentary system, with a prime minister selected by the legislature in charge of the government, and a president with limited powers.
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