Iraq toddles toward democracy

Somehow, they managed to shape a new central government despite crushing national problems and bitter fights over how much power to invest in new political ideas and untested leaders.

Still, America's infant democracy survived a bruising constitutional convention in 1787.

Iraq has that organizational tumult ahead, but there is every good reason to think the country's first elected government in a half century can survive.

Iraq's national assembly elected Dr. Ibrahim al-Jaafari to be prime minister after two months of intense politicking. He heads one of the country's largest Shiite religious parties, which helps define part of the struggle ahead: balancing secular and sacred roles in the government.

The largely ceremonial role of president is filled by Jalal Talabani, a leader of the Kurdish alliance. His selection set off dancing in the streets of northern Iraq.

Hajim al-Hassani, a Sunni and ethnic Turkman, was elected speaker of the Iraqi assembly. Hussain al-Shahristani, a Shiite, and Aref Taifour, a member of the Kurdish Democratic Party, were named deputy speakers.

The new prime minister has made it clear he favors a strong role for the Koran in the country's new constitution. He and other Shiites were ruthlessly oppressed by Saddam Hussein and the Sunni religious minority.

The Kurds have been squeezed between Turkey and Saddam's government in Baghdad. They will clearly seek and expect a voice in the new government that is more significant than a ceremonial presence.

Watching the formerly oppressed and the voiceless find a way through the democratic thicket will be a marvel.

The United States, whose controversial and misguided war helped launch this great political-science experiment, will have to watch from the sidelines. The U.S. has strong opinions, but it might have to live with things it does not like.

Results are hard to predict once people are free to choose their own paths.