Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE79313
2009-07-29 22:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON
how-toVZCZCXRO9647 OO RUEHAST RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHC #9313 2102219 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O R 292203Z JUL 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 2419 INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 5572
UNCLAS STATE 079313
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE KG
SUBJECT: OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN KYRGYZSTAN
UNCLAS STATE 079313
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE KG
SUBJECT: OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN KYRGYZSTAN
1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
July 30, 2009 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna:
Begin Text:
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
The United States is concerned about the conduct of the
presidential election in Kyrgyzstan held on July 23rd, which
despite some positive elements failed to meet key OSCE
commitments for democratic elections.
We take note of positive aspects of the election process as
outlined by the OSCE Election Observation Mission,s
preliminary assessment, including that voters were offered
distinct choices of presidential candidates, that civil
society remained actively engaged in the electoral process,
that broadcast media complied with obligations to provide
free airtime to candidates, and that deadlines regarding the
election administration and the courts were generally
respected. We also take note that the Central Election
Commission increased the transparency of the process by
publishing information on campaign spending and took an
active role in launching national voter participation and
education campaigns.
Nevertheless, we remain concerned that there were a number of
serious shortcomings in the election process. The election
campaign period was marred by a blurring of the line between
party and state, in which misuse of administrative resources
in support of the incumbent,s campaign granted him an unfair
advantage. For example, according to Interim Report No. 2
(22 June ) 4 July 2009),opposition and civil society
activists criticized President Bakiev for locating party
offices within state administrative premises. Also of
serious concern are allegations that the local administrative
staff and party activists of the governing political party
pressured or intimidated voters and election commissioners.
We further note that the broadcast media provided limited and
unbalanced coverage of election contestants and are seriously
concerned about the rise in violence against independent
reporters in the run-up to the election.
The United States is also concerned by reports that the
Central Election Commission,s work sometimes lacked
transparency and that Precinct Election Commission members in
some locations denied access to international monitors to
observe meetings, as well as the vote count and tabulation.
On election day, some OSCE observers witnessed ballot box
stuffing, inaccuracies in the voter lists, as well as
evidence of multiple voting and open vote-buying. The
closing, counting and tabulation process saw a further
deterioration with OSCE observers submitting negative
evaluations for more than half of the counts observed.
We encourage the election commission, courts, prosecutors and
the police to respond to and resolve complaints fairly and
transparently. We also encourage Kyrgyz opposition parties
and authorities to resolve differences peacefully and
constructively, and to refrain from using threats or
violence.
Finally, we take note of Kyrgyzstan,s inclusion of a number
of international and domestic election monitoring teams,
including an ODIHR long-term and short-term observation
mission and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. We also want to
thank the OSCE Election Observation Mission for bringing to
these elections an unbiased and professional monitoring team.
We appreciate, as always, the hard work the mission put into
releasing a timely and thorough preliminary report.
Madam Chairwoman, the United States believes the Kyrgyz
Republic has made encouraging strides in its 18 years of
independence. We had looked forward to seeing additional
progress in this presidential election, as we did in the 2005
presidential election. We believe the Government of
Kyrgyzstan can move forward on its path toward greater
democracy for its citizens by improving its electoral
process. We strongly encourage the government to take OSCE,s
recommendations in its final report into consideration and to
work on reforms in consultation with civil society,
opposition parties, and the international community.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE KG
SUBJECT: OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN KYRGYZSTAN
1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
July 30, 2009 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna:
Begin Text:
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
The United States is concerned about the conduct of the
presidential election in Kyrgyzstan held on July 23rd, which
despite some positive elements failed to meet key OSCE
commitments for democratic elections.
We take note of positive aspects of the election process as
outlined by the OSCE Election Observation Mission,s
preliminary assessment, including that voters were offered
distinct choices of presidential candidates, that civil
society remained actively engaged in the electoral process,
that broadcast media complied with obligations to provide
free airtime to candidates, and that deadlines regarding the
election administration and the courts were generally
respected. We also take note that the Central Election
Commission increased the transparency of the process by
publishing information on campaign spending and took an
active role in launching national voter participation and
education campaigns.
Nevertheless, we remain concerned that there were a number of
serious shortcomings in the election process. The election
campaign period was marred by a blurring of the line between
party and state, in which misuse of administrative resources
in support of the incumbent,s campaign granted him an unfair
advantage. For example, according to Interim Report No. 2
(22 June ) 4 July 2009),opposition and civil society
activists criticized President Bakiev for locating party
offices within state administrative premises. Also of
serious concern are allegations that the local administrative
staff and party activists of the governing political party
pressured or intimidated voters and election commissioners.
We further note that the broadcast media provided limited and
unbalanced coverage of election contestants and are seriously
concerned about the rise in violence against independent
reporters in the run-up to the election.
The United States is also concerned by reports that the
Central Election Commission,s work sometimes lacked
transparency and that Precinct Election Commission members in
some locations denied access to international monitors to
observe meetings, as well as the vote count and tabulation.
On election day, some OSCE observers witnessed ballot box
stuffing, inaccuracies in the voter lists, as well as
evidence of multiple voting and open vote-buying. The
closing, counting and tabulation process saw a further
deterioration with OSCE observers submitting negative
evaluations for more than half of the counts observed.
We encourage the election commission, courts, prosecutors and
the police to respond to and resolve complaints fairly and
transparently. We also encourage Kyrgyz opposition parties
and authorities to resolve differences peacefully and
constructively, and to refrain from using threats or
violence.
Finally, we take note of Kyrgyzstan,s inclusion of a number
of international and domestic election monitoring teams,
including an ODIHR long-term and short-term observation
mission and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. We also want to
thank the OSCE Election Observation Mission for bringing to
these elections an unbiased and professional monitoring team.
We appreciate, as always, the hard work the mission put into
releasing a timely and thorough preliminary report.
Madam Chairwoman, the United States believes the Kyrgyz
Republic has made encouraging strides in its 18 years of
independence. We had looked forward to seeing additional
progress in this presidential election, as we did in the 2005
presidential election. We believe the Government of
Kyrgyzstan can move forward on its path toward greater
democracy for its citizens by improving its electoral
process. We strongly encourage the government to take OSCE,s
recommendations in its final report into consideration and to
work on reforms in consultation with civil society,
opposition parties, and the international community.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
CLINTON