(E-114/01) May 30, 2001 OAS APPOINTS CHIEF OBSERVER FOR NICARAGUA ELECTIONS   Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General C�sar Gaviria announced today the appointment of Argentinean Santiago Murray, a special advisor with the Organization's Unit for the Promotion of Democracy, as head of the OAS Mission that will monitor Nicaragua's November 4 general elections. The appointment was announced as the Organization signed an agreement with the Nicaraguan government, covering the terms under which the OAS Electoral Observation Mission will operate in the Central American country. A contingent of OAS observers is already in Nicaragua under phase one, which includes monitoring all activities featured on the election schedule approved by the Supreme Electoral Council. The aim is to become familiar with, analyze, follow and evaluate the main activities to be carried out between May and September. This phase includes the interpretation and application of the nation's election laws, registration of political parties and candidates, administration of the electoral process and public education campaigns as well as promotion of citizen participation. Voter registration, election campaign launch and media access and dissemination of information by participating political organizations are also included. Phase one involves a select group of observers and experts in election organizing, electoral law and information systems and is financed through contributions from the governments of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland. Phase two begins in October when most of the observers arrive and are deployed to various regions of Nicaragua. The team of observers will remain in the country until mid-November. Should a second round of elections become necessary, however, the mission will remain until the electoral process in concluded.   **********