OSCE Chairman's representative recommends code of conduct for Kyrgyz presidential candidates

BISHKEK, 1 June 2005 - Alojz Peterle, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office's Personal Representative for Central Asia, called on Kyrgyzstan's presidential candidates today to agree a politically binding code of conduct for the 10 July election, which he said was vital for the country's future political stability.

"Kyrgyzstan is currently in an extremely important stage of its democratic development," he told a conference on the presidential elections. "The quality of the presidential elections could establish the base for political stabilization or it could increase the risk of instability."

Peterle, who ended a six-day visit to Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday, said the election would be an important milestone in the country's history and it was important that candidates should agree a code of conduct on fair campaigning.

"Such a code would not be legally binding, but would address the moral responsibility of potential future leaders," he said. "In my opinion a promise by the presidential candidates to campaign with fair means would help improve the election atmosphere."

The Bishkek conference was organized by the Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan and the Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society, with support from the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the UNDP.

Peterle visited Osh on Monday, meeting Governor Anvar Artykov, Almanbek Matubraimov, Special Representative of the interim President in the south, monitoring experts on ethnic issues from the office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and NGO representatives.

Discussions focused on issues such as the situation in the south of the country, the elections, border checkpoints and refugees from Uzbekistan.

"The OSCE expects quick action on finding a solution to the refugees' problem," Peterle said.