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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General Announces Observer Group Chair on Eve of Talks with President Mugabe

11 May 2000

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Mr Don McKinnon, who will visit Harare next week (15-16 May) for discussions with President Robert Mugabe, announced today that the Commonwealth Observer Group for the Parliamentary Elections in Zimbabwe will be led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria's former Head of State, who oversaw the restoration of democracy in that country last year.

The Secretary-General expects that Zimbabwe's forthcoming elections will be at the centre of his discussions in Harare and he will be accompanied during his visit by the Observer Group's Advance Team. The Government of Zimbabwe has indicated that it would welcome the presence of a Commonwealth Observer Group, which will consist of parliamentarians, election experts and representatives of civil society.

Mr McKinnon will express both the Commonwealth's concerns regarding the developments of the last two months and its support for an environment in which there can be a credible election process. Speaking prior to his departure the Secretary-General said:

I am pleased to have the opportunity to have these discussions with President Mugabe. I hope they will help towards creating an environment conducive to orderly, free and fair elections.

Note to Editors:
There have been 29 Commonwealth Observer Groups since October 1990. The most recent was present for the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections in Mozambique in December 1999.

At its recent meeting (2 May) the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) "welcomed the decision by the Commonwealth Secretary-General to visit Zimbabwe this month to discuss the situation with the Government of Zimbabwe, and to convey the deep concerns of the Group".

 

00/35 11 May, 2000

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