Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Mission held “friendly” meeting with Navumau
- 11.09.2008, 10:32
On September 10 Interior Minister of Belarus Uladzimir Navumau met with the head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, Geert-Hinrich Ahrens.
The meeting was held in the Interior Ministry and lasted for about an hour.
“We are satisfied with the work done. We have discussed the issues which have relation to the elections. For instance, the role of the police on the Day of elections, protection of ballot boxes during their transportation. We have also discussed issues of checking signatures during registration of candidates for deputies. I would like to note that it was a very friendly meeting,” Geert-Hinrich Ahrens said to journalists.
In his turn, U. Navumau noted that no extraordinary security measures would be taken during voting. “We certainly would take all necessary security measures, in order for the lives and health of our citizens were completely safe. At the meeting with Ahrens I gave an example: on this weekend we shall provide security at the veents dedicated to the City Day (in Minsk). On the next weekend we should guarantee large-scale security measures in Vorsha during “Dazhynka” holiday. And then we shall take security measures during the elections. Public order would be ensured no matter what event is taking place,” u. Navumau noted.
The minister said that officers for guarding OSCE mission observers haven’t been chosen on purpose. “We just informed local policemen that international observers work in their region, and if they would need some help, they should be rendered assistance”, Navumau said.
To the question whether he feels secure, Geert-Hinrich Ahrens said “Yes”.
As we have informed, Interior Minister of Belarus Uladzimir Navumau has been banned entry to the EU countries and the US. According to the report and resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Navumau hindered proper investigation of abductions of Belarusian opposition leaders and a journalist. He is one of the suspects of being a participant in abductions and assassinations of well-known persons in Belarus.