Thank you, Madame Chairperson,

We commend Ambassador Wieclaw for his work in advancing OSCE principle of democracy and human rights in Kyrgyzstan.

Under his effective leadership, the OSCE Centre in Bishkek has made significant contributions to the progress achieved in Kyrgyzstan’s political and economic transition.

As we have previously noted, we share the view expressed by the OSCE and the ODIHR election-monitoring mission that Kyrgyzstan’s February 20 parliamentary elections were not in full compliance with OSCE commitments.

We are deeply concerned by the recent de-registration of legitimate candidates and possible de-registration of additional legitimate candidates.

We strongly urge the Government of Kyrgyzstan to permit all candidates who made it through the first round of voting to participate in the run-off election of March 12. Voters should not be deprived of the opportunity to choose between candidates who succeeded in the first round of voting.

The U.S. continues to support Kyrgyzstan’s political and economic transition. Our concerns regarding the election stem from our wish to see Kyrgyzstan move forward in its democratic transition and build on the progress achieved to date.

We note the important contribution made by local election monitors to ensure that the February 20 elections were more open and transparent than previous elections.

We urge the Government of Kyrgyzstan to take all measure to guarantee the local monitors appropriate access to all phases of the electoral process.

Thank you, Madame Chairperson.