Iraqi exiles call for inclusive rule
Danny Wood
BBC, Madrid
The first significant meeting involving a range of Iraqi opposition groups since the end of Saddam Hussein's regime has finished in Madrid.
Spain is keeping its profile high in Iraqi affairs
The weekend gathering concluded with a Madrid declaration expressing confidence in Iraq's democratic future.
The Madrid declaration says all the Iraqi political groups represented here agree to work towards a pluralist federal democracy with a constitution guaranteeing fundamental rights, regardless of religion, sex or gender.
The participants also want Saddam Hussein to be brought to trial for crimes against humanity.
The Iraqi Kurds, Shia Muslims, constitutional monarchists and communists represented here all say they want democracy for their country with the help of the UN, Europe and the United States.
But until the final hours of the conference, it was uncertain that there was enough consensus to even make a declaration and the form of a future Iraqi democracy is far from clear.
US role
Mohammed Mohammed Ali, a Shia Muslim from the leadership council of the self-proclaimed Iraqi National Congress, says it will not be a Western-style liberal democracy.
And there are major points of contention, like the role of the United States.
Iraqi Kurds are more comfortable with a longer-term US presence, guaranteeing stability in the country.
Communists want the US out as soon as possible.
All agree that there needs to be a provisional Iraqi government urgently.
But this meeting in Madrid demonstrates there is a basic level of agreement among Iraq's disparate political groups.
It is a diplomatic coup for Spain's Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, who is continuing to play a leading role in international affairs involving the region.
Eyes are now on Baghdad and a series of meetings organised by the US military administrator, Jay Garner.
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