Belarus elections fail to meet OSCE standards says the Organization's Chairman-in-Office

BUCHAREST, 10 September 2001 (OSCE) - The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, deplored that Belarus had failed to meet the OSCE standards in the conduct of the presidential elections held on 9 September 2001. The elections were to constitute an important step in the democratic transition of Belarus towards the mainstream of European democracies.

At the same time, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office hailed the emergence of genuine political structures from within the growing pluralistic civil society.

The new political coalition of a broad spectrum of forces and the success in activating throughout the country large numbers of election monitors give rise to hope and will serve as a strong incentive for the OSCE to reinforce the activities of the Advisory and Monitoring Group for the furtherance of democratic principles, values and procedures in Belarus. The disputes of the recent months should be put aside and a new chapter of fruitful co-operation between the authorities, the democratic structures of civil society and the Advisory and Monitoring Group with Ambassador Wieck as well as with other OSCE branches should be resumed and advanced - to the benefit of the citizens and the respect for their individual human rights. Such a new effort would help paving the way of Belarus towards the European communities.

The Chairman-in-Office shares the conclusions of the International Limited Election Observation Mission and considers that there is a need for consultations between the authorities and the international community. The isolation of the country is not in the interest of the Belarus people and is not conducive to strengthening democratic development.

On the other hand, there is a need to intensify the co-operation of OSCE institutions and branches with the emerging civil society in Belarus and their structures. This should be done to the extent possible in co-operation with other European institutions.

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For further information contact Josue Anselmo, OSCE Spokesperson, mobile 0664 325 3698, or the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: +43-1-514-36-180; fax: +43-1-514-36-105; e-mail: info@osce.org.