US Diplomat advises oppositional parties to take part in the electoral farce to the end

• 5.09.2008, 15:22

US Charge d’Affaires a.i. Jonathan Moore believes that boycott of the elections by political parties could cost them their political future.

“Unfortunately, despite of the common work of the democratic forces over this year, some representatives are going to withdraw from the elections process. We hope that candidates and parties will continue participation in the campaign, as a very important stage of the elections starts now,” J. Moore told to Interfax-Zapad news agency. “There is a danger that a political party that excludes itself from this process, would thus exclude oneself a possibility to play a role in the society”, he underlined.

The interlocutor of the agency noted that he, like the ODIHR mission head Arens, has an experience of work in the Balkans. “With our own eyes we saw examples when boycotts led nowhere”, the US diplomat said.

Evaluating the election campaign’s process, Jonathan Moore reminded that there had been assurances at the high level that great changes for the best would take place in the context of the elections.

“But it is obvious that there are problems in the regions,” he stated, saying about absence of independent representatives in district commissions”.

The complete interview with the US Charge d'affaires in Belarus can be read HERE.