OSCE Chairman-in-Office calls on Kosovo politicians to respect election outcome

LISBON, 29 October 2002 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office (CiO), Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz, today congratulated the voters of Kosovo on the success of their municipal elections.

"For the first time, the full ethnic diversity of Kosovo was reflected by the political entities represented on the ballots," he said. "This has created the conditions for participation of all of Kosovo's communities in local government."

At the same time, Minister da Cruz called on political parties, their leaders and their supporters to respect the results and prepare for a smooth, quick and dignified hand-over of local government in municipalities where there may be new majorities and new Assembly presidents.

"The electorate has placed great trust in your hands," he said. "It is important for Kosovo and its political leadership to set a positive example in the next stage, the implementation of the results."

The CiO praised the dedication and professionalism of local election officials for the technical and operational success of the elections, noting that in the past three elections they have assumed ever greater responsibilities.

He also noted the positive assessment by the Council of Europe, which said that the elections - the third run by the OSCE in Kosovo - were in line with European principles and standards for democratic elections.

Finally, the CiO also expressed his hope that the murder of the President of the Municipal Assembly in Suhareke/Suva Reka was an isolated incident and urged all concerned to avoid violence as Kosovo continues its transition to a democratic society in which the rights of all individuals are respected.