SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ORDERLY, PEACEFUL CONDUCT OF KOSOVO ELECTIONS

Following is the text of a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the orderly and peaceful conduct of the elections for the Kosovo Assembly held on 17 November 2001.  The Secretary-General congratulates the people of Kosovo on the commitment to democratic norms through peaceful adherence to the electoral rules shown throughout the campaign and Election Day.

The all-inclusive nature of the elections, where ballots were cast in Kosovo itself, in Serbia and Montenegro, and by mail from 36 countries, will provide a solid basis for the institutions of Provisional Self-Government that will now be established, in accordance with Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).

The Secretary-General is gratified that members of the minority communities turned out in significant numbers and expresses the hope that the elected representatives of all communities will take up their rightful place in the institutions of Provisional Self-Government.

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