Thank you, Madame Chairperson.

We do thank Mr. Duve for the report that he has just given us because it was so comprehensive and covered so many issues. We believe, like him, that recent election-driven changes in Southeast Europe underline the role and the importance of freedom of expression in a democracy and throughout Europe.

We are pleased that the new Yugoslav government is taking steps to assure the development and protection of independent media, as well as taking other positive steps such as the release of journalist Miroslav Filipovic, doctor and poet Flora Brovina, and reporter Zoran Lukovic. To us these are all signs that the Yugoslav authorities take their OSCE commitments seriously.

We concur with Mr. Duve that the recent democratic elections in Kosovo will help to foster an atmosphere where freedom of the media can continue to develop.

We share his disappointment with press conditions during the presidential election in Kyrgyzstan. The pressure the Kyrgyz government put on independent media was inconsistent with its OSCE commitments.

We also share his concerns about the abuse of libel legislation in Kazakhstan, severe limitations on the media in Uzbekistan, and the regrettable complete absence of media freedom in Turkmenistan.

We agree with him that the seizures and continuous harassment of the independent press during the recent parliamentary elections in Belarus were clearly inconsistent with OSCE commitments. Open and public discussion will be essential if we are to have Belarus presidential elections that can be recognized by the international community.

Madame Chairperson, I was present for the roundtable in Berlin last week on "Journalists in Conflict Areas," organized by Mr. Duve. For me, it was a useful opportunity for government representatives to hear of the challenges faced by independent journalists when they cover stories in areas of conflict. I think we all came away with a renewed appreciation of the key role these individuals play in helping us understand the most important type of developing news stories.

Like Mr. Duve, we remain concerned about the Russian government's new Information Security Doctrine and its apparent attempts to constrain independent electronic media, as well as its continuing pressure on Mr. Gusinskiy.

Madame Chairperson, Mr. Duve and his team have taken their mandate very seriously and their hard work is beginning to pay dividends. We therefore wish to reiterate our support for your request for an extension to Mr. Duve's term as the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

Thank you.