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UNCLAS USNATO 000461
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS MARR NATO AF
SUBJECT: NATO SYG WELCOMES AFGHAN ELECTION DECISION
1. (U) On October 20, NATO Secretary General Rasmussen issued
a statement welcoming the decision to hold a second round of
elections in Afghanistan. He said the decision showed
respect for the democratic process and institutions in
Afghanistan. He indicated his hope that the second round
would achieve higher standards than had been in evidence for
the first round, stressing that this was needed for the
legitimacy of the government. He urged all Afghans to
exercise their right to vote, noting that NATO forces would
work with Afghan security forces to ensure the security of
the elections.
2. (U) The full text of the Secretary General's statement
follows:
BEGIN TEXT
20 Oct. 2009
Press Release: (2009) 151
Statement by the Secretary General on the Afghan elections
The decision to hold a second round of elections shows
respect for the democratic process and institutions in
Afghanistan, and I welcome that. The necessary steps must be
taken to ensure that the conduct of the next round of voting
achieves a higher standard than we saw in the first round, so
that the Government that results from this process has
legitimacy in the eyes of the Afghan people.
I urge all Afghans to exercise their hard-won democratic
right to vote, despite threats or intimidation by the enemies
of the country. NATO has the forces in place to help ensure
security for the next round of elections, in support of
Afghan security forces.
END TEXT
DAALDER