[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          AZERBAIJAN ELECTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 18, 2005

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to share 
a few thoughts with my colleagues on recent the elections in 
Azerbaijan.
  While the recent November 6th parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan 
failed to meet U.S. and international standards for a free and fair 
process, there were some notable improvements over the previous 
elections.
  According to the State Department, the Government of Azerbaijan: 
allowed large numbers of candidates to register; provided candidates 
with greater access to the media; allowed exit polls and extensive 
monitoring by domestic and foreign observers; improved voter lists; and 
took other actions contributing to a more orderly and transparent vote.
  However, there were widespread reports of major irregularities and 
fraud--including concerning vote tabulation, as well as intimidation of 
voters and observers--that may have disenfranchised voters in many 
districts.
  In response, Azerbaijani leader Aliyev has, thus far, reportedly: 
ordered the Justice Minister to fully investigate the election results; 
dismissed two governors and other officials for election fraud; 
annulled the outcome of the elections in a fourth voting district; and 
is probing the results from 20 of the country's voting constituencies 
for possible violations.
  Just this week, it was reported that Aliyev dismissed Vagif Ragimov, 
the governor of Zagatala, a region in western Azerbaijan near the 
border with Georgia, for alleged interference in ballot counting. Two 
days earlier, after a three-hour discussion, the Central Election 
Commission (CEC) reportedly canceled results in the #110 Zagatala 
constituency in response to reported violations in a majority of the 
polling stations.
  Ragimov was reportedly the third governor to be dismissed for 
attempted vote tampering.
  These are positive steps but further corrective actions must be 
taken. For example, investigations should not be limited exclusively to 
election day problems but must address reports of post-election 
crackdowns and suppression of dissent.
  I therefore urge Mr. Aliyev to continue to work closely with the 
United States, the rest of the international community, and all 
segments of Azerbaijani society to undertake the necessary reforms to 
provide for a future in which free, fair and transparent elections are 
regularly held in a fully democratic Azerbaijan.

                          ____________________