Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
03THEHAGUE2128 | 2003-08-22 16:08:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy The Hague |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002128 |
1. (C) DCM AND POLOFF MADE REFTEL POINTS TO DUTCH MFA OSCE TASK FORCE CHIEF AMB. DAAN EVERTS AND TASK FORCE STAFF IN SEPARATE CONVERSATIONS ON AUGUST 22. AMB. EVERTS TOLD DCM THAT DESPITE BEING "VERY DISAPPOINTED" WITH THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN GEORGIA, THE OSCE WOULD ENGAGE IN THE SELECTION OF THE CHAIR OF THE CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION (CEC). 2. (C) OSCE TASK FORCE STAFF OFFICERS ALEX OOSTERWIJK AND FRANK VAN BEUNINGEN REPEATED TO POLOFF DUTCH CONCERNS (REFTEL) THAT GIVEN THAT THE GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT HAD NOT APPROVED ARTICLE 18 OF THEIR UNIFORM ELECTION CODE (UEC), THE NEW CEC WOULD BE TAINTED, AND THE OSCE MIGHT BE SEEN AS "RUBBER-STAMPING" A FLAWED PROCESS. THEY ALSO RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT REPORTS OF ALLEGED COLLUSION BETWEEN OPPOSITION PARTIES REVIVAL AND THE INDUSTRIALISTS AND THE GOVERNMENT WHICH WOULD DILUTE THE POTENTIAL INDEPENDENCE OF THE CEC. NEVERTHELESS THEY SAID THE OSCE WOULD BE HEAVILY INVOLVED IN OBSERVING AND MONITORING THE ELECTIONS. OOSTERWIJK AND VAN BEUNINGEN MADE SOME PROCEDURAL DISTINCTIONS AS WELL. THEY SAID THAT THE BAKER PLAN DID NOT STIPULATE THAT THE OSCE APPOINT THE CEC CHAIRMAN BUT RATHER THE OSCE WOULD ADVISE PRESIDENT SHEVARDNADZE AS TO WHOM HE SHOULD APPOINT. TO THIS END, THE DUTCH HAVE IDENTIFIED ROMANIAN HEAD OF DELEGATION TO THE OSCE (AND FORMER UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO ABKHAZIA) LIVIO BOTA AND BULGARIAN PLAMEN NICOLOV, COUNCIL OF EUROPE SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GEORGIA, TO SERVE ON AN AD HOC ADVISORY BODY TO ASSIST IN APPOINTING A CEC CHAIR. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE OSCE DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO APPOINT ALL 75 REGIONAL ELECTORAL COMMITTEE CHAIRS. SOBEL |