SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RESULTS OF HAITIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RESULTS OF HAITIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the results of the Haitian Presidential election, as announced by the Haitian Provisional Electoral Council yesterday.  The Secretary-General has spoken to Mr. René Garcia Préval and offered his warm congratulations for his victory in the elections.  He stressed the importance of national reconciliation and the need for all Haitians to work together to promote political dialogue.

The Secretary-General again pays tribute to the commitment of the Haitian people to the democratic process, as shown in the huge numbers of voters who waited patiently in long lines to vote.  The Secretary-General also stresses the importance of completing the electoral cycle, including by holding local and municipal elections as early as possible.

Over the past days, the Secretary-General has been in touch with all the main political leaders to stress the importance of an inclusive approach and to reiterate his commitment to support the efforts of all Haitians to build a prosperous and stable country.

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For information media • not an official record