Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE59652
2008-06-03 21:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON MACEDONIA,S
how-toVZCZCXRO0343 PP RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHC #9652 1552116 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 032107Z JUN 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 0976 INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 059652
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE MK
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON MACEDONIA,S
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
UNCLAS STATE 059652
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE MK
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON MACEDONIA,S
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
June 5, 2008 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna:
Begin Text:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The United States notes with serious concern developments
surrounding the June 1st parliamentary election in Macedonia.
ODIHR,s preliminary report notes that key OSCE commitments
were not met. Violence, intimidation, and fraud deprived many
Macedonian citizens of their fundamental democratic right.
The electoral campaign period saw an atmosphere of fear build
in certain parts of the country, as shootings, ransacking of
political party offices, and other acts of intimidation
occurred with disturbing frequency. There were other
troubling irregularities during the campaign, including
disproportionate and biased coverage of the governing
coalition in the state media.
On election day, the violence continued, accompanied by a
large number of disturbing voting irregularities, including
theft of ballot boxes, stuffing of ballot boxes, intimidation
of voters, poll workers and observers, including the
temporary illegal detention of an ODIHR observer, and
manipulation of voter lists in polling stations, especially
in the northwest part of Macedonia and in the city of Skopje.
In line with Macedonia,s OSCE commitments, we look to the
authorities in Macedonia to vigorously investigate,
prosecute, and appropriately sanction those responsible for
election irregularities and violence. We welcome Prime
Minister Gruevski,s commitment to seek re-runs of the
election in those districts where voters were prevented from
expressing their will. We urge the Government to work closely
with ODIHR to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to
remedy election shortcomings, to ensure peaceful reruns free
of fear and intimidation, and to restore legitimacy to the
voting in those areas that saw violence and other
disturbances. This is an essential government
responsibility, and how Macedonia handles these issues will
be a critical test of the maturity of the country,s
democratic institutions.
Despite the significant shortcomings I have just noted, there
were some positive features of the election process. ODIHR
reported that the elections were well administered
procedurally and that the State Election Commission operated
in a generally transparent and efficient manner.
Mr. Chairman, the United States would like to take this
opportunity to highlight once again the excellent and timely
work of ODIHR in observing and reporting on this election. We
also appreciate that authorities in Macedonia cooperated
closely with ODIHR in the campaign and on election day.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE MK
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON MACEDONIA,S
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
June 5, 2008 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna:
Begin Text:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The United States notes with serious concern developments
surrounding the June 1st parliamentary election in Macedonia.
ODIHR,s preliminary report notes that key OSCE commitments
were not met. Violence, intimidation, and fraud deprived many
Macedonian citizens of their fundamental democratic right.
The electoral campaign period saw an atmosphere of fear build
in certain parts of the country, as shootings, ransacking of
political party offices, and other acts of intimidation
occurred with disturbing frequency. There were other
troubling irregularities during the campaign, including
disproportionate and biased coverage of the governing
coalition in the state media.
On election day, the violence continued, accompanied by a
large number of disturbing voting irregularities, including
theft of ballot boxes, stuffing of ballot boxes, intimidation
of voters, poll workers and observers, including the
temporary illegal detention of an ODIHR observer, and
manipulation of voter lists in polling stations, especially
in the northwest part of Macedonia and in the city of Skopje.
In line with Macedonia,s OSCE commitments, we look to the
authorities in Macedonia to vigorously investigate,
prosecute, and appropriately sanction those responsible for
election irregularities and violence. We welcome Prime
Minister Gruevski,s commitment to seek re-runs of the
election in those districts where voters were prevented from
expressing their will. We urge the Government to work closely
with ODIHR to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to
remedy election shortcomings, to ensure peaceful reruns free
of fear and intimidation, and to restore legitimacy to the
voting in those areas that saw violence and other
disturbances. This is an essential government
responsibility, and how Macedonia handles these issues will
be a critical test of the maturity of the country,s
democratic institutions.
Despite the significant shortcomings I have just noted, there
were some positive features of the election process. ODIHR
reported that the elections were well administered
procedurally and that the State Election Commission operated
in a generally transparent and efficient manner.
Mr. Chairman, the United States would like to take this
opportunity to highlight once again the excellent and timely
work of ODIHR in observing and reporting on this election. We
also appreciate that authorities in Macedonia cooperated
closely with ODIHR in the campaign and on election day.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE