*EPF403 07/31/2003
Text: U.S. Supports Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia
(State says let National Election Committee do its work) (290)

Following is the text of a statement issued by the State Department July 31 on recent elections in Cambodia:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
July 31, 2003

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

Cambodia -- Elections

The United States supports a free and fair election process in Cambodia that meets international standards. This process includes the still uncompleted vote counting phase. The National Election Committee has the duty to give an accurate vote tally and to properly review complaints of election irregularities from political parties, take corrective action, and punish any transgressors in accordance with the Electoral Law.

The U.S. urges all parties to act responsibly during this sensitive period in advance of the preliminary announcement of election results on August 8. The National Election Committee should be given time to complete its work in a thorough and deliberate manner. It is premature to endorse the results as forecast and published by political parties. The transition to power and the validation of the new government should follow the requirements laid out in the Cambodian Constitution.

The U.S. urges the Government of Cambodia to respect the right of the people to assemble peacefully and express their views and grievances and this right to peaceful expression of views extends to political parties as well. The U.S. is deeply concerned by rhetoric that is threatening and provocative in nature. Any intimations about the potential use of force should be avoided.

The U.S. also notes that the formation of a coalition government is a matter for the political parties to determine among themselves in a free and open manner.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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