SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEDGES UN SUPPORT FOR GUINEA-BISSAU ELECTORAL PROCESS

Press Release
SG/SM/7233

SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEDGES UN SUPPORT FOR GUINEA-BISSAU ELECTORAL PROCESS

The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan on 24 November:

Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that on Sunday, 28 November 1999, the people of Guinea-Bissau would be afforded the opportunity, after the tragic events of the recent past, to exercise their constitutional right to choose their next President and Parliament. He commended all those inside and outside Guinea-Bissau who had contributed to make the event possible.

He called upon all concerned parties in Guinea-Bissau, including the military, to ensure that the elections were conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner, and without interference. The friends of Guinea-Bissau and the international community at large expected no less. In that regard, he wished to express his deep appreciation to all those among them who had contributed to the organization of those elections.

He also wished to reaffirm the readiness of the United Nations to continue to support the electoral process until its conclusion, and to assist the new government in fostering a climate of peace and reconciliation, conducive to economic reconstruction and development.

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