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OAS SECRETARY GENERAL HAILS APPOINTMENT OF
VENEZUELA’S NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL

  August 26, 2003

Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General César Gaviria issued the following statement today, concerning the appointment of the new National Electoral Council in Venezuela:

“The formation of the new National Electoral Council in Venezuela is a significant step towards guaranteeing Venezuelan citizens the right to exercise their franchise, as provided for in the Constitution. The move is also important to ensure that the conflicts in Venezuela over the last few months are settled through peaceful, democratic, constitutional and electoral means, under the terms of the agreement signed last May 29 by the representatives of the government of Venezuela and the political and social interests supporting it, along with the Democratic Coordinator group and the political and civil society organizations it comprises.

“The OAS, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Carter Center have on several occasions expressed our readiness to lend every support to the new electoral body. We again extend our offer to provide the National Electoral Council any technical assistance it may deem necessary.”

Reference: E-163/03