| Taken Questions Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC January 23, 2002 Question Taken at January 23, 2002 Daily Press Briefing Uzbekistan Referendum on Presidential Term Extension Question:What is your reaction to the Government of Uzbekistan's plan to hold a referendum to extend President Karimov's term in office? Answer: A hallmark of democracy and good governance is regular, free and fair elections, with peaceful transfers of power. We expect Uzbekistan to adhere to this international principle. Unfortunately, past Uzbek elections were neither free nor fair, and did not offer Uzbekistan’s voters a true choice. We are concerned that a referendum extending the term of an incumbent elected under such conditions will not be consistent with international standards. We have decided against sending any observers. Our decision is consistent with the OSCE’s Office of Democratic and Human Rights (ODIHR), which is also not sending an observer mission to the referendum. They did not observe prior presidential elections because preconditions for a free and fair election did not exist and do not see a need to observe this referendum.
Released on January 23, 2002 |
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