| Press Statement Tom Casey, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC May 30, 2008 Georgia: Parliamentary ElectionsWe congratulate the people of Georgia on the parliamentary elections of May 21. According to the preliminary assessment of international observers, including the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and NATO and the European Parliament, the election in Georgia offered the people an opportunity to choose their representatives from a wide array of choices. Georgian officials made a genuine effort to conduct elections according to OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and standards for democratic elections. The United States also sent out a large observation mission. We agree with the European Union and other international monitors that this election was an improvement over the January Presidential elections. Despite the improvements, international and domestic monitors identified a number of problems during the elections which made implementation of commitments and procedures incomplete. We urge the Georgian authorities to investigate all allegations of irregularities and to work with all sides to address the challenges and shortcomings identified by international and domestic observers. We encourage all political forces to accept the decision of the Georgian voters and to work peacefully and responsibly, including through inclusive dialogue, to continue strengthening democratic institutions in Georgia. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the people of Georgia, including both ruling party and opposition, to strengthen democratic reform and to deepen the strong relations between our two countries. 2008/439 |
 | |||
|
