DEMARCHE ON OSCE ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO

UNCLAS ANKARA 005847 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UP TU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON OSCE ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO UKRAINE REF: STATE 220961 ¶1. We presented reftel demarche October 14 to Turkish MFA Eastern Europe Department official Yavuz Evirgen. Evirgen and MFA OSCE Section Head Korkut Gungen acknowledged that MFA officials are consulting with each other continuously in monitoring Ukrainian election developments. ¶2. Evirgen advised that three parliamentarians from the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) have volunteered to monitor the Ukrainian elections: one member from the Council of Europe delegation and two from the OSCE delegation. He expressed regret that no Turkish academic from the Higher Education Council has volunteered. Evirgen was not sure which TGNA parliamentary members would participate in the possible second round on November 21 because Parliamentary committees are currently being reorganized, but promised to advise us if there are additional volunteers. He was personally optimistic that a high level of observers would facilitate a good election and also noted that three parliamentarians are planning to monitor the upcoming elections in Belarus. EDELMAN