Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE96371
2009-09-16 19:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON ALBANIAN
how-toVZCZCXRO7366 OO RUEHAST RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHC #6371 2591931 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O R 161913Z SEP 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 3699 INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 096371
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OSCE PREL PGOV KDEM AL
SUBJECT: OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON ALBANIAN
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
UNCLAS STATE 096371
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OSCE PREL PGOV KDEM AL
SUBJECT: OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON ALBANIAN
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
1. (U) Post is authorized to deliver the following statement
at the September 17 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna.
Begin text:
Thank you, Madam Chair. The United States congratulates the
citizens and Government of Albania on the parliamentary
elections held on June 28, 2009. The Government of Albania
deserves credit for genuine progress on many fronts in this
election, and the citizens of Albania deserve praise for
coming out to vote in large numbers and for carrying out
peaceful and orderly elections. The outcome of the vote
clearly represents the will of the Albanian people.
The OSCE/ODIHR Final Report noted that the election itself,
while not meeting Albania's full potential, nonetheless met
most OSCE commitments and demonstrated substantial
improvements in the voter registration process, the legal
framework, the voting, counting, and the adjudication of
post-election disputes. The Government of Albania has done a
credible job in developing the necessary tools for free and
fair elections. The provisions in the new Electoral Code
adopted in late 2008 were valuable in reforming the electoral
process. Extracting voter lists from the computerized
National Center Status Register was also a significant and
positive development. Likewise, the Central Election
Commission's efforts to prepare and administer the elections
professionally and transparently should be commended.
Nevertheless some of these improvements did not fully result
in the improved climate of trust they were intended to
foster. This was particularly true in the areas of media
bias and politicization of some aspects of the vote.
Politicization of technical aspects of the process, including
during vote count and tabulation, as well as violations
observed during the campaign, undermined public confidence in
the election process. We agree with ODIHR that the conduct
of democratic elections depends largely on the commitment of
all political parties to respect the letter and the purpose
of the law.
We are confident the Government and people of Albania will
carefully study the comprehensive recommendations provided by
ODIHR in its Final Report and promote the changes necessary
for Albania to realize its potential to attain the highest
standards for democratic elections.
Finally, we would like to once again congratulate OSCE,
including ODIHR and the Parliamentary Assembly, on another
well-managed election observation mission. Thank you, Madam
Chair.
End text.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OSCE PREL PGOV KDEM AL
SUBJECT: OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON ALBANIAN
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
1. (U) Post is authorized to deliver the following statement
at the September 17 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna.
Begin text:
Thank you, Madam Chair. The United States congratulates the
citizens and Government of Albania on the parliamentary
elections held on June 28, 2009. The Government of Albania
deserves credit for genuine progress on many fronts in this
election, and the citizens of Albania deserve praise for
coming out to vote in large numbers and for carrying out
peaceful and orderly elections. The outcome of the vote
clearly represents the will of the Albanian people.
The OSCE/ODIHR Final Report noted that the election itself,
while not meeting Albania's full potential, nonetheless met
most OSCE commitments and demonstrated substantial
improvements in the voter registration process, the legal
framework, the voting, counting, and the adjudication of
post-election disputes. The Government of Albania has done a
credible job in developing the necessary tools for free and
fair elections. The provisions in the new Electoral Code
adopted in late 2008 were valuable in reforming the electoral
process. Extracting voter lists from the computerized
National Center Status Register was also a significant and
positive development. Likewise, the Central Election
Commission's efforts to prepare and administer the elections
professionally and transparently should be commended.
Nevertheless some of these improvements did not fully result
in the improved climate of trust they were intended to
foster. This was particularly true in the areas of media
bias and politicization of some aspects of the vote.
Politicization of technical aspects of the process, including
during vote count and tabulation, as well as violations
observed during the campaign, undermined public confidence in
the election process. We agree with ODIHR that the conduct
of democratic elections depends largely on the commitment of
all political parties to respect the letter and the purpose
of the law.
We are confident the Government and people of Albania will
carefully study the comprehensive recommendations provided by
ODIHR in its Final Report and promote the changes necessary
for Albania to realize its potential to attain the highest
standards for democratic elections.
Finally, we would like to once again congratulate OSCE,
including ODIHR and the Parliamentary Assembly, on another
well-managed election observation mission. Thank you, Madam
Chair.
End text.
CLINTON