U.S. IS DISSATISFIED WITH CEC OF ARMENIA

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 17 2007

Joseph Pennington, U.S. Charge d’Affaires, a.i., stated in a news
conference on December 17 having made efforts for a fair and free
presidential election in Armenia, they are dissatisfied with the
Central Electoral Commission of Armenia.

The U.S. Charge said he means the training of members of electoral
commissions which was initiated by the U.S., like in the parliamentary
election. Joseph Pennington thinks the CEC did not display sufficient
activity in response to their efforts like before the parliamentary
election in May.

The U.S. diplomat also said for a more free, fair and transparent
election they have offered to the Armenian government to hold an
exit poll. Joseph Pennington says it will help make the process
more democratic. He says the election process gives an idea of the
Armenian society, says the U.S. Charge. He said when they offered
this proposal to the Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, he
accepted it gladly and said Armenia is willing for that. Joseph
Pennington hopes the government will make a final decision, and
in that case the United States will hold the exit poll through the
International Republican Institute funded by the U.S. government,
which has considerable experience.

For the presidential election, Joseph Pennington says the parliamentary
election was described by international observers as a step toward
progress, and they hope the presidential election will be a step
ahead of the parliamentary election. The United States expects this,
says the Charge d’Affaires of this country.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress