*EPF410 06/26/2003
Text: U.S. Calls for Nonviolent Elections in Cambodia
(June 25 State Department statement) (390)

The United States is calling on the Cambodian government "to take all necessary action to prevent the politically-motivated violence and intimidation that has marred prior elections and to prosecute any perpetrators," says State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher.

In a statement released June 25, Boucher said "the mechanisms are in place for a credible election process" and urged the Cambodian government and election authorities "to assure political parties equitable access to the media, both print and broadcast, to get their messages to the voters."

Cambodia begins the official 30-day campaign season June 26 for the July 27 National Assembly elections. More than six million Cambodians are registered to vote.

Following is the text of the statement, as released by the Department of State:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

June 25, 2003

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN CAMBODIA

Tomorrow, Cambodia begins the official 30-day campaign season for the July 27 National Assembly elections. More than six million Cambodians are registered to vote.

During the Secretary's meetings with Cambodian government officials during the recent ASEAN Regional Forum meeting in Phnom Penh, he emphasized the importance of the Cambodian government doing everything possible to ensure that the upcoming elections meet international standards, particularly fair access to the media.

As we have noted previously, the mechanisms are in place for a credible election process. We call on the government of Cambodia to take all necessary action to prevent the politically-motivated violence and intimidation that has marred prior elections and to prosecute any perpetrators.

We urge the National Election Committee to be vigorous in its investigation of any and all election abuses and adjudicate them swiftly.

In order for the voters to make informed choices, they need the widest possible access to information. We urge the Cambodian government and election authorities to assure political parties equitable access to the media, both print and broadcast, to get their messages to the voters.

As Secretary Powell made clear during his visit, the Cambodian people deserve a government with the legitimacy that free and fair elections will bring. After such elections, we hope that there will be more opportunities for us to pursue dialogue and potentially new programs with the Cambodian government.

(end text)

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

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