31.   The crisis began in February, when the national assembly approved a sweeping constitutional revision package that severely curbs the power of the executive branch.

32.   The final choice was made by the national assembly, composed of elected and appointed members, not by the voters themselves.

33.   The military has maintained its influential faction in the national assembly, and has lobbied successfully for a constitutional amendment that prevents retroactive human rights trials.

34.   The national assembly has provided some help, recently approving legislation that will make layoffs easier.

35.   The party dominated in elections since December for local and statewide government seats, as well as the national assembly.

36.   Then, at larger councils, village representatives will vote by secret ballot to elect delegates to the national assembly.

37.   They have agreed to have a national assembly and a collective presidency.

38.   Those reforms are set to be debated in the national assembly on Thursday, a month ahead of schedule.

39.   Those proposals will be discussed around the country for a year leading up to a PRI national assembly next summer.

40.   Under the new plan, the provisional administration would then convene the larger council, and eventually a Loya Jirga, a traditional national assembly.