25 January 2005, 22:53
US urges Azerbaijan to increase transparency of parliamentary elections
"Azerbaijan authorities must make an effort to increase transparency and prevent violations of the law in the course of the parliamentary elections lying ahead. The future attitude of international democratic institutions towards Azerbaijan will depend on it," US Ambassador to the OSCE Stephan Minikes said addressing a session of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna. The US diplomat pointed to some positive moments. In particular, he mentioned the fact that the Azerbaijan Central Election Commission dismissed several people for violations committed during the municipal election and brought for investigation to the republican prosecutor's office materials concerning 95 violations of the law.
Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent