OSCE regrets missed opportunities to reform Albanian electoral system
(Jens Eschenbaecher/OSCE)Albanian citizens marking ballots during the parliamentary
elections, 24 June 2001. (Jens Eschenbaecher/OSCE) Photo details
TIRANA, 12 October 2001 (OSCE) - The following statement was made today by Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, the Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, following the release of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) report on the 24 June 2001 parliamentary elections in Albania:
"The long awaited ODIHR report is in your hands. Let me first use this opportunity to explain again the division of labour between the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights - ODIHR. Both belong to the OSCE, but we are mandated to do different jobs. With regard to the elections in Albania, the Presence helped with the preparations for the International Election Observer Mission that the ODIHR led. The Presence provided extensive logistical support throughout the country for the duration of the election period: the ODIHR was responsible for monitoring and for analyzing reports from observers in the field. I hope this makes it clear that this report you now have belongs to the ODIHR. It will also be clear that the relationship between the ODIHR and the Presence is extraordinarily close. We work together in harmony, with complete confidence in one another's competences and abilities.
"To be frank, I am somewhat disappointed by the reality of the Albanian elections as reflected in the report. Albania could have done better. There was an electoral system in place that could have worked, but even the best system will fail to deliver where the political will to respect both the letter and the spirit of the law is lacking. I give you only one example: the independent candidates issue clearly violated the spirit of both the Constitution and the electoral code. It could only harm the democratic culture of this country when, suddenly, well-known party officials posed as independents. It is fortunate that, with some OSCE and other international input, the Central Election Commission (CEC) generally solved this problem - although it did not do so until 10 minutes to midnight.
"I also deplore a certain lack of co-operation by some in Albania. After the ODIHR report on the October local elections had identified flaws and made recommendations, the OSCE Presence acted swiftly to get the system ready for the 2001 parliamentary elections. There was not much time. We called an all-party meeting here at the OSCE Presence Headquarters. Unfortunately some important political figures saw fit not to attend. We had to abandon that initiative. In the end, everything was done at the last minute and beyond; the opportunity for timely reform of the electoral structures was lost. The late completion of the CEC was particularly problematic. This should not happen again. The recommendations in the latest ODIHR report should be dealt with soon, but they should no longer dominate the political agenda. Albania is not an island.
"Since 11 September, international politics has focussed on the fight against terrorism. Albania is to be commended for its policy of firm support for the international endeavours, but will have to act much more vigorously against organized crime, trafficking of drugs, arms and human beings, and corruption. Only this will bring Albania fully into the Euro-Atlantic structures. As this is the wish of the vast majority of Albanians, in both the main political camps, I recommend strongly now to stop the incessant internal political bickering and move ahead, each in his own role. Show the world a working parliamentary democracy.
"This means that Albania needs an opposition in parliament that fulfils its proper role in the way modern democracies function. Nobody asks the opposition to recognize explicitly events or results they do not wish to accept and that the ODIHR report has assessed in the appropriate way. There is no question of a "facade", if the opposition in parliament does not want to be one. Parliament offers great possibilities. The OSCE Presence in Albania, which has developed a parliamentary assistance project in co-operation with parliamentarians and experts from abroad, is only too ready to help the Opposition play its vital role effectively.
"Throughout its time in this country, the OSCE Presence has striven to act in the best interests of the people and government of Albania. It stands ready to continue that work.
"This press statement has received the support of the Friends of Albania in the meeting that took place at 11:00 am today in Tirana."
"The long awaited ODIHR report is in your hands. Let me first use this opportunity to explain again the division of labour between the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights - ODIHR. Both belong to the OSCE, but we are mandated to do different jobs. With regard to the elections in Albania, the Presence helped with the preparations for the International Election Observer Mission that the ODIHR led. The Presence provided extensive logistical support throughout the country for the duration of the election period: the ODIHR was responsible for monitoring and for analyzing reports from observers in the field. I hope this makes it clear that this report you now have belongs to the ODIHR. It will also be clear that the relationship between the ODIHR and the Presence is extraordinarily close. We work together in harmony, with complete confidence in one another's competences and abilities.
"To be frank, I am somewhat disappointed by the reality of the Albanian elections as reflected in the report. Albania could have done better. There was an electoral system in place that could have worked, but even the best system will fail to deliver where the political will to respect both the letter and the spirit of the law is lacking. I give you only one example: the independent candidates issue clearly violated the spirit of both the Constitution and the electoral code. It could only harm the democratic culture of this country when, suddenly, well-known party officials posed as independents. It is fortunate that, with some OSCE and other international input, the Central Election Commission (CEC) generally solved this problem - although it did not do so until 10 minutes to midnight.
"I also deplore a certain lack of co-operation by some in Albania. After the ODIHR report on the October local elections had identified flaws and made recommendations, the OSCE Presence acted swiftly to get the system ready for the 2001 parliamentary elections. There was not much time. We called an all-party meeting here at the OSCE Presence Headquarters. Unfortunately some important political figures saw fit not to attend. We had to abandon that initiative. In the end, everything was done at the last minute and beyond; the opportunity for timely reform of the electoral structures was lost. The late completion of the CEC was particularly problematic. This should not happen again. The recommendations in the latest ODIHR report should be dealt with soon, but they should no longer dominate the political agenda. Albania is not an island.
"Since 11 September, international politics has focussed on the fight against terrorism. Albania is to be commended for its policy of firm support for the international endeavours, but will have to act much more vigorously against organized crime, trafficking of drugs, arms and human beings, and corruption. Only this will bring Albania fully into the Euro-Atlantic structures. As this is the wish of the vast majority of Albanians, in both the main political camps, I recommend strongly now to stop the incessant internal political bickering and move ahead, each in his own role. Show the world a working parliamentary democracy.
"This means that Albania needs an opposition in parliament that fulfils its proper role in the way modern democracies function. Nobody asks the opposition to recognize explicitly events or results they do not wish to accept and that the ODIHR report has assessed in the appropriate way. There is no question of a "facade", if the opposition in parliament does not want to be one. Parliament offers great possibilities. The OSCE Presence in Albania, which has developed a parliamentary assistance project in co-operation with parliamentarians and experts from abroad, is only too ready to help the Opposition play its vital role effectively.
"Throughout its time in this country, the OSCE Presence has striven to act in the best interests of the people and government of Albania. It stands ready to continue that work.
"This press statement has received the support of the Friends of Albania in the meeting that took place at 11:00 am today in Tirana."