PROPOSED STATEMENT ON EGYPTIAN PRESIDENTIAL

UNCLAS CAIRO 006915 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EG SUBJECT: PROPOSED STATEMENT ON EGYPTIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. (SBU) Below is post's proposed text of a statement on Egypt's September 7 presidential elections. Post suggests it be released at 4:00 p.m. Washington time, after polls in Egypt have closed. Begin text: The United States congratulates the Egyptian people on the holding of the first-ever multi-party presidential elections in Egypt. This is a significant milestone in Egypt's movement to full democracy. The opposition had unprecedented access to the media and the right of assembly through public demonstrations that were largely free of violence. (Voting also occurred without widespread violence or intimidation.**) We believe that the presence of international observers and access for domestic monitors to the polling stations would only have strengthened this important step. Egyptian voters will return to the polls later this year to elect a new parliament. We hope Egypt will build on today's success and conduct elections that meet the objective standards that define every free election. End text. **To be used if there are no reports of violence on election day. Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. RICCIARDONE