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Statement
by the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus
Washington, D.C., October 27, 2004
The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United States expresses its
profound disappointment and concern over the refusal by the authorities of
the United States to authorize the Embassy of Belarus staff members to carry
out in the states of Maryland, West Virginia and in the District of Columbia
independent observation of presidential elections and elections to the US
Congress, to be held on November 2, 2004.
The refusal by American authorities to carry out independent observation of
the elections creates serious doubts that the forthcoming elections will be
transparent, free, fair and democratic in accordance with the OSCE norms.
Such practice vividly demonstrates that the Unites States is not ready to
follow principles and norms of the OSCE Copenhagen Document of 1990 and
other international obligations related to the conduct of elections.
The United States clearly violates its international obligations before the
OSCE, which stipulate direct participation of independent observers in
monitoring the preparation and conduct of elections in participating states.
The Republic of Belarus calls on the authorities of the United States to
respect its international obligations and to allow independent international
observers to exercise their right under the Copenhagen Document to monitor
the elections and the electoral campaign.
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