Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAKU507
2006-04-04 08:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Baku
Cable title:
CEC CHAIRMAN AFFIRMS PREPARATIONS ON TRACK FOR MAY 13
how-toVZCZCXRO1361 PP RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHKB #0507 0940847 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 040847Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAKU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0033 INFO RUCNOSC/ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY COOPERATION IN EUROPE
UNCLAS BAKU 000507
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL AJ
SUBJECT: CEC CHAIRMAN AFFIRMS PREPARATIONS ON TRACK FOR MAY 13
RERUN ELECTIONS
REF: BAKU 315
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
UNCLAS BAKU 000507
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL AJ
SUBJECT: CEC CHAIRMAN AFFIRMS PREPARATIONS ON TRACK FOR MAY 13
RERUN ELECTIONS
REF: BAKU 315
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
1. (SBU) On March 30 Ambassador made a farewell call on Central
Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Mezahir Panahov. During the
meeting, Ambassador urged Panahov to publicize the ten successful
prosecutions of election fraud to date (reftel). Panahov agreed
that it was important to inform people about the cases and said
he would raise it with the President's office. Ambassador also
expressed concern that some precincts have yet to post voter
lists, despite the March 9 deadline for precincts to do so.
Panahov responded that the CEC delivered the lists to the
Constituency Election Commissions (ConEcs) in plenty of time and
the ConEcs have all assured him lists are up. He said, however,
that he would send his staff out personally to check the status
of the lists following information provided by Post. Ambassador
asked Panahov to ensure that domestic election observer
organizations are allowed to register smoothly under the new law;
Panahov replied that observer registration had always been smooth
and would continue to be so. Panahov also confirmed that the
process of acquiring and supplying the necessary finger ink to
polling stations was going smoothly.
2. (SBU) Overall, Panahov agreed with Ambassador that the May 13
rerun elections need to be free and fair. He commented that
Azerbaijan's mentality is slowly changing on this point and he
expects fewer problems with local government interference in this
campaign than the previous campaign. He said the President
himself has reiterated to Panahov the need to run good elections,
such that the international community would appreciate the
results. Panahov affirmed that this was his approach and
promised to do everything he could, together with the help of the
USG.
HARNISH
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PGOV PREL AJ
SUBJECT: CEC CHAIRMAN AFFIRMS PREPARATIONS ON TRACK FOR MAY 13
RERUN ELECTIONS
REF: BAKU 315
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
1. (SBU) On March 30 Ambassador made a farewell call on Central
Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Mezahir Panahov. During the
meeting, Ambassador urged Panahov to publicize the ten successful
prosecutions of election fraud to date (reftel). Panahov agreed
that it was important to inform people about the cases and said
he would raise it with the President's office. Ambassador also
expressed concern that some precincts have yet to post voter
lists, despite the March 9 deadline for precincts to do so.
Panahov responded that the CEC delivered the lists to the
Constituency Election Commissions (ConEcs) in plenty of time and
the ConEcs have all assured him lists are up. He said, however,
that he would send his staff out personally to check the status
of the lists following information provided by Post. Ambassador
asked Panahov to ensure that domestic election observer
organizations are allowed to register smoothly under the new law;
Panahov replied that observer registration had always been smooth
and would continue to be so. Panahov also confirmed that the
process of acquiring and supplying the necessary finger ink to
polling stations was going smoothly.
2. (SBU) Overall, Panahov agreed with Ambassador that the May 13
rerun elections need to be free and fair. He commented that
Azerbaijan's mentality is slowly changing on this point and he
expects fewer problems with local government interference in this
campaign than the previous campaign. He said the President
himself has reiterated to Panahov the need to run good elections,
such that the international community would appreciate the
results. Panahov affirmed that this was his approach and
promised to do everything he could, together with the help of the
USG.
HARNISH