December 25, 2003	Thursday	Ziqa’ad 1, 1424

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KABUL, Dec 24: President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday rejected calls for conceding some presidential powers to parliament and insisted any proposal to dilute his power was unacceptable, saying it was vital to protect the country from instability.

“There has been no compromise. If we were to dilute the powers of the president, why then did we propose presidential system”, he said during an early-morning press briefing.

“The constitution has specific aspects and model of government. Presidential form of government is known all over the world (so) we should make a constitution that reflects that system (and) not a confusion,” he said.

President Karzai was speaking at weekly press briefing at the heavily-guarded Presidential Palace.

“It (the presidential system) was proposed so that the country does not drift towards chaos and anarchy again. This is unacceptable,” the Afghan President said unequivocally.

But despite President Karzai’s categorical statement, there were indications that the government would eventually agree to some sort of compromise with groups demanding strong parliament.

A delegate close to groups that form the Northern Alliance told this correspondent the government was holding talks with them to negotiate a deal. One of the proposals includes giving parliament the power to ratify cabinet ministers appointed by the president.

The Afghan, president, however, denied any discussions having taken place with the opposition groups on the subject. He acknowledged that his former counterpart, Prof Burhanuddin Rabbani had met with cabinet ministers but said that they did not discuss any issues relating to the president-parliament powers.

He said that the Loya Jirga proceedings were going on “very well,” adding the reconciliation committee would present its report to the plenary meeting on Thursday. “I hope the Constitutional Loya Jirga would decide and approve the draft constitution by early next week.”

The Afghan President said the under the draft constitution, the parliament enjoyed the powers to impeach the president. He however, said that any attempt at diluting powers of either president or parliament could cause serious problems.

A delegate privy to the proceedings of the reconciliation committee said, delegates had sought major amendments in the draft constitution but insisted that those favouring a presidential system were in majority.