Thank you.

I would like to join others in thanking Ambassador Stoudmann for his views on recent election observation efforts as well as his thoughts on key priorities for ODIHR for the year that has just begun. 

Like others, we commend him and his colleagues for their outstanding job in observing the December 23 parliamentary elections in Serbia.  We strongly support continued OSCE and ODIHR assistance for Yugoslavia and Serbia on their path toward democratic development. 

As Ambassador Stoudmann noted, the current election schedule contains nine elections, with an additional four potential and based on past experience that is certainly likely to grow.  We especially appreciate his early attention to election observation efforts which could prove to be challenging.

We are committed to supporting ODIHR as it carries out this important work and urge all around the table to provide continued financial and personnel resources to allow this important institution to effectively meet our collective obligations.

On Azerbaijan, we agree that the January 7 repeat parliamentary elections do mark some improvement over those that were held on November 5.  

We encourage both the government and the opposition to work together to develop an atmosphere of trust and reconciliation that will enable Azerbaijan to move forward in efforts more fully to develop a participatory democracy.

We call on the Azeri authorities to continue their cooperation with ODIHR and to address the problems that have been identified in future elections.

Thank you.