Parliamentary Assembly issues statement on Yugoslav elections

COPENHAGEN, 25 September 2000 - Mr. Adrian Severin, MP (Romania), President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, welcomes the will for change expressed by the people of Yugoslavia through yesterday's elections.

"I hope that these elections, in spite of all the problems, will mark an important step in the right direction." Mr. Severin referred to the statement, issued today by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister, Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who considered the elections to be "far from democratic". He also pointed out that the Yugoslav legislation does not provide conditions for free and fair elections. "The credibility of these elections is seriously marred by the Government's decision to keep the whole electoral process under their control and prevent any proper international or national monitoring of the elections."

Mr. Severin emphasized that these elections prove that the democratic opposition must unite. "That is the only way towards democracy, stability and out of isolation".

On behalf of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Severin offered to reopen dialogue with Yugoslav parliamentarians. "Whatever the outcome of the elections, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will be open to constructive dialogue with the new parliament, or parliamentarians who demonstrate their own willingness to enter into such a dialogue and who are independent enough from the present Government. Such a parliamentary dialogue might, eventually help Yugoslavia to respect its OSCE commitments and bring it out of its present isolation. That would improve peace and stability in South-eastern Europe and, of course, be in the best interest of the citizens of Yugoslavia".

For further information please contact: In Copenhagen: Mr. Jan Jooren, Press Counsellor, OSCE PA, tel. + 45 33 37 80 36, Fax + 45 33 37 80 30, e-mail: jan@oscepa.dk