Afghan Talks Adjourned Amid Strife

KABUL, Afghanistan —  This country’s constitutional convention came off the rails Thursday as officials adjourned the gathering in the face of a boycott by opponents of President Hamid Karzai.

The delay was the most severe setback yet to this war-ravaged nation’s attempt to put its vision of a secure future on paper, raising real concern that the historic gathering would end in failure.

Critics blamed the government for its insistence on a strong presidency and its unwillingness to hear minority demands on such emotional issues as language rights.

Others pointed to the machinations of warlords and faction leaders seeking a new niche if Karzai wins the powers he is seeking.

The 500 delegates have spent nearly three weeks wrangling over a draft constitution. Frustrated by the lack of agreement, loya jirga chairman Sibghatullah Mojaddidi called a vote early Thursday on the first of a slew of disputed amendments.

More than half the delegates cast ballots on issues including how many parliamentary seats to reserve for women and members of a nomadic tribe.

But in a surprisingly resolute rebellion, 200 members, mostly from the Tajik- and Uzbek-dominated north of the country, stayed in their seats and refused to take part.