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Monday, 20 October 2003

US ADDS VOICE TO INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM OF AZERBAIJAN ELECTION

Published in News Digest

By empty (10/20/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The United States added its voice to concerns about events in Azerbaijan after the much-criticised presidential election in the Central Asian republic. A number of international bodies, led by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, has condemned a wave of arrests of opposition party officials and supporters following last week\'s election, which was won by the son of the outgoing president. \"We share those concerns at what appears to be a wave of politically motivated arrests over the weekend,\" deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters.
The United States added its voice to concerns about events in Azerbaijan after the much-criticised presidential election in the Central Asian republic. A number of international bodies, led by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, has condemned a wave of arrests of opposition party officials and supporters following last week\'s election, which was won by the son of the outgoing president. \"We share those concerns at what appears to be a wave of politically motivated arrests over the weekend,\" deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters. \"It is our view that Azerbaijan\'s government must follow through on its OSCE commitments to safeguard its citizens and respect their rights,\" said the spokesman. \"We also call upon the opposition parties to act peacefully and within the law.\" The State Department also highlighted its worries over post-election violence in Azerbaijan. \"We have called on both the government and the opposition parties to stop it. Those who are engaged in criminal acts should be pursued as should be police who used excessive force,\" said the spokesman. (AFP)
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