OSCE calls on Albanian Democratic Party leader to respect election results

VIENNA, 5 October 2000 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, welcomed the joint confirmation by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and of the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities that the local elections in Albania on 1 October marked significant progress towards meeting the criteria laid down for democratic elections. "Any remaining concerns arising from the electoral process are now being brought to the attention of the competent authorities, who will draw conclusions and take the necessary action in appropriate cases, in accordance with the law", Ferrero-Waldner declared.

The Chairperson-in-Office expressed her satisfaction that the local elections were conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner, which takes Albania a substantial step forward on the road to meeting the democratic standards required to join the European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

The Chairperson-in-Office today had a telephone conversation with the Head of the Democratic Party Sali Berisha about the elections. Mr. Berisha pointed out that irregularities had taken place at a large scale.

Ms. Ferrero-Waldner referred to the legal appeals process. She also called on Mr. Berisha not to boycott the second round of these elections which will take place on October 15. "Furthermore, I asked Sali Berisha to recognize the outcome of the elections which according to all international observers were conducted in a free and fair manner", Ferrero-Waldner said after the telephone conversation.

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office also appealed to Mr. Berisha to allow the constitution of the various Municipal Councils to take place in a peaceful manner. "The wish of the people for a change in the respective municipalities has to be respected. There should be no turn to violence in the streets. Opposition has to be conducted with democratic means and within the democratic institutions."

Mr. Berisha assured the Chairperson-in-Office that his party had no intention to pursue its concerns with regard to the electoral process with violent means.

For further information contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: info@osce.org