OSCE CiO on Azeri presidential elections and his visit to the Southern Caucasus

THE HAGUE, 17 October 2003 - The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Netherlands Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, has expressed concern about the post-election atmosphere in Azerbaijan, in which excessive police force was used against protesters, resulting in the loss of life.

"I call on everybody to refrain from violence and on the authorities to keep their cool and use restraint when confronted with protests and demonstrations that have occurred in the aftermath of the elections", he said.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office added that, although the OSCE-led International Election Observation Mission stated in its preliminary conclusions that Wednesday's presidential elections in Azerbaijan fell short of international standards in several respects, it was important for everybody to maintain calm and peace, and for the authorities to draw lessons for the future.

He repeated his stance that only elections that allow all parties to campaign in an atmosphere free of intimidation and where the population can exercise their vote freely in a democratic, secret and fair poll, are fully accepted by the people, thereby endorsing the legitimacy of the newly elected leadership.

Minister de Hoop Scheffer pointed out that this was particularly relevant in a country where the leadership needs the support of its people to find the way out of regional conflict.

"Still, I am encouraged by statements made recently by the leadership of both Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as by Georgia, that the election of a new President in Azerbaijan and other elections held in the region recently, may create some momentum in discussions on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"I will convey a clear message of reconciliation and intend to discuss the elections and the possible effect on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during my forthcoming visit to the Southern Caucasus", he added.

The OSCE Chairman intends to visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan from 21 to 23 October.