07 March 2003
Text: U.S. "Deeply Disappointed" by Electoral Irregularities in Armenia
(Reeker: Armenian leadership missed opportunity to advance democracy)
(370)
The United States is "deeply disappointed by the electoral
irregularities that have been reported" by international observers
monitoring the March 5 Armenian presidential election, according to
State Department Deputy Spokesman Philip Reeker.
"We urge the government to recommit to building a democratic Armenia
and to restore public confidence, beginning with a full and
transparent investigation of election irregularities and
accountability for those responsible," he said, and he also called on
the opposition "to pursue its legitimate election grievances through
peaceful and legal processes."
Following is the text of Reeker's statement:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
March 7, 2003
Statement by Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman
ARMENIA: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
A preliminary statement released March 6 by the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe concludes that the Armenian Presidential
election on March 5 was "marred by serious irregularities in a large
number of polling stations," in a process that, "fell short of
international standards for democratic elections."
The United States concurs with this view, and is deeply disappointed
by the electoral irregularities that have been reported. While the
presence of Armenian domestic observers in many polling stations was
positive, a number of problems were identified: such as ballot box
stuffing, "carousel" voting at multiple polling stations,
inappropriate military voting, the intimidation, absence or expulsion
of opposition proxies, and apparent intimidation of some of the
observers. The period between the two election rounds also was marred
by a number of shortcomings, including detentions without due process
and lack of accountability for irregularities in the first round.
Armenia's leadership missed an important opportunity to advance
democratization by holding a credible election. We urge the government
to recommit to building a democratic Armenia and to restore public
confidence, beginning with a full and transparent investigation of
election irregularities and accountability for those responsible. We
call on the opposition to pursue its legitimate election grievances
through peaceful and legal processes. We expect all political elements
in Armenia to avoid post-election violence, and to adhere to the
Armenian constitution.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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