November 7, 2003

Embassy of the United States of America
Belgrade

U.S. Government Encourages Democratic Elections

As has been the practice over the past several years, the government of the United States will be providing support to several Serbian non-governmental organizations attempting to encourage voter turnout in the upcoming November 16 Presidential elections and to monitor the elections themselves. We have also responded positively to the OSCE’s call for short and long term observers for its own monitoring of the elections.

Successful Presidential elections which are perceived by all as free and fair, will be a significant step forward in the process of the democratic transition underway in Serbia. At the same time, we note that following the last failed Presidential elections, the OSCE made a strong recommendation, which we and many other countries endorsed, that the 50% requirement of voter turnout for the elections to be successful be eliminated. This requirement, which historically has been a practice only in countries under Communist rule, acts to encourage and legitimize election boycotts. We call on all democratic parties, whether this election is successful or not, to act quickly to eliminate this requirement for any further elections.

We consequently encourage Serbian citizens to vote on Sunday for the candidate of their choice.

7. novembar 2003.

Ambasada Sjedinjenih Američkih Država
Beograd

Vlada SAD ohrabruje demokratske izbore

Vlada Sjedinjenih Država podržaće nekoliko srpskih nevladinih organizacija, kao što je bila praksa poslednjih nekoliko godina, koje će promovisati izlaznost birača na predstojećim predsedničkim izborima 16. novembra i posmatrati izbore. Takođe smo pozitivno odgovorili na poziv OEBS-a za potrebe praćenja izbora u smislu obezbezbeđivanje posmatrača na kraći i duži vremenski period.

Uspešni predsednički izbori, prihvaćeni od svih kao slobodni i pošteni, biće značajan iskorak u procesu demokratske tranzicije koja je u toku u Srbiji. Istovremeno, primećujemo da je OEBS, nakon prošlih neuspešnih predsedničkih izbora, preporučio da se uslov za uspeh izbora od 50% izlaznosti birača ukine, što smo mi zajedno sa drugim zemljama podržali. Ovaj uslov, koji je istorijski bio u upotrebi samo u zemljama pod komunističkom vladavinom, ohrabruje i daje legitimitet bojkotu izbora. Pozivamo sve demokratske partije, bilo da ovi izbori budu uspešni ili ne, da brzo reaguju u cilju eliminisanja ovog uslova za buduće izbore.

U vezi sa gore navedenim, mi ohrabrujemo građane Srbije da u nedelju glasaju za kandidata po sopstvenom izboru.