12 March 2005
U.S. to Participate in Macedonian Election Observation
" Free and fair" municipal elections would boost democracy at local
level
The United States will have about 25 participants joining the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observation mission to the
Macedonian municipal elections on March 13.
State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said that "free and fair" municipal
elections will provide "an important demonstration of Macedonia's ability
and willingness to meet European and international standards."
Below is a portion of the March 11 State Department press briefing dealing
with the Macedonian elections:
(begin transcript)
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
March 11, 2005
Question Taken at March 11, 2005 Daily Press Briefing
Macedonian Municipal Elections
Question: What is the U.S. position on upcoming elections in Macedonia?
Is the U.S. sending election observers? What, if any, other support is the
United States providing?
Answer: These are Macedonia's first municipal elections since passage last
summer of decentralization legislation, which was mandated by the Framework
Agreement and will strengthen democracy at the local level.
We believe that the government and citizens of Macedonia will work to ensure
that the elections are conducted well. Free and fair municipal elections
will be a significant step for Macedonia in Framework Agreement implementation,
and will provide an important demonstration of Macedonia's ability and willingness
to meet European and international standards.
Approximately 25 US participants will travel to Macedonia to join the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observation mission for these
elections, and the U.S. Embassy in Skopje will be contributing additional
personnel to this effort. In addition, the US and others are working with
the OSCE to support nearly 3600 non-partisan domestic observers.
Since 2000, the U.S. has funded significant technical assistance to Macedonia's
State Election Commission to promote electoral reform, improve election operations,
provide poll worker training, and support voter education.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department
of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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