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SG/SM/8837-AFR/692

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RWANDA ELECTION AS IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS PLURALISTIC, MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY

29/08/2003
Press Release
SG/SM/8837
AFR/692


SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RWANDA ELECTION AS IMPORTANT

STEP TOWARDS PLURALISTIC, MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY


The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:


The Secretary-General welcomes the news that the presidential elections in Rwanda –- the first since the genocide of 1994 -– were conducted in a generally peaceful manner with a high voter turnout, for which he commends the people of Rwanda.  The Secretary-General considers this election an important step towards the establishment of a pluralistic multiparty democracy in Rwanda.  He expresses the hope that the parliamentary elections scheduled for next month will further contribute to that process.


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For information media. Not an official record.