OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON CONDUCT OF

UNCLAS STATE 050850 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OSCE PREL PGOV SR SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON CONDUCT OF MAY 15 PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL ELECTIONS IN SERBIA ¶1. Post is authorized to present the following statement at the May 15 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna. Begin text: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The United States congratulates the people of Serbia for the conduct of the May 11 parliamentary and local elections in Serbia. For the third time in the past sixteen months, Serbia has gone to the polls for nation-wide elections. Each time Serbia has clearly demonstrated its willingness and ability to conduct elections in line with its OSCE commitments. As ODIHR noted in its May 13 press release, this latest round was conducted in an overall professional manner, allowing the country,s voters to choose freely among a wide range of political options. The elections were hotly contested and generated strong emotions on all sides. Yet they took place in a generally calm, peaceful and open atmosphere. It is widely and reliably reported that turnout at the polls on election day was impressive. The Serbian people should take pride in the conduct of the elections, and have confidence in the results. For many months the Serbian people have had to rely on a caretaker government in Belgrade. We therefore hope negotiations lead quickly to the formation of a new government. The Serbian people have clearly expressed their will in these latest elections and deserve no less. Once a new government is formed, the United States looks forward to working with it and the Serbian people to help Serbia realize its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. RICE