SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED AT PEACEFUL CLIMATE OF BOLIVIA’S GENERAL ELECTIONS

The following statement was issued today by the spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has followed with great interest Bolivia’s general elections which were held on 18 December.  He is pleased to note that a peaceful climate prevailed and that the Bolivian people demonstrated a great sense of civic responsibility.

The Secretary-General reiterates his message calling on all Bolivians to support the new Government and Parliament and to take advantage of the opportunity offered by these elections to work together to reach political and economic agreements and promote stability and progress in the country.  The period ahead will require compromise and consensus-building.

The UN system stands ready to assist the new Government and the people of Bolivia in addressing the important challenges they face.

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For information media • not an official record