19 September 2005 - NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OBSERVES AGHANISTAN’S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

In general they found that the election process was well managed.  Afghan election officials were well prepared and knowledgeable of the rules of the election process.  No serious irregularities were witnessed by any member of the delegation. 
 
Most importantly, the members of the delegation were impressed by the participation of Afghans of all ethnicities and ages.  Women also participated in force both as voters and election officials. 
 
The members of the delegation caution, however, that the elections are only a first step and that much must be done to build sustainable democratic institutions in Afghanistan.  This will require a sustained commitment on the part of NATO, the individual allies and other international organizations to support the country through security, economic and institutional development assistance.
 
The members of the delegation, Kresimir Cosic (Croatia), Rasa Jukneviciene (Lithuania), Jeppe Kofod (Denmark), Lucio Malan (Italy), and Karel Schwarzenberg (Czech Republic) will be available to the media on 19 September at 15:30 in the Kandahar Room at ISAF HQ Kabul.