unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/16/89)
POLITICAL PARTIES IN NAMIBIA ADOPT 'CODE OF CONDUCT' FOR Posting Date: 09/14/89 Source: UNITEX Network, Hoboken, NJ, USA ELECTORAL PROCESS Political parties taking part in the election campaign in Namibia, under the supervision of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG), today agreed on a 'code of conduct' they will observe during the electoral process. A United Nations official announced in the Namibian capital of Windhoek that nine parties planning to contest the elections for a constituent Assembly, set for November, had established a framework of rules based on the principle that they all have the right to present their policies to the electorate, and that each is obliged to accept the freedom of the others to campaign. There is also provision for dealing with disputes and for the peaceful conduct of meetings and rallies, with the parties agreeing not to obstruct the activities of others. Their signatures to the agreement were witnessed by the Secretary- General's special representative, Martti Ahtisaari. Under the code, the party leaders undertook "to honour the outcome of free and fair elections, so certified by the Secretary-General's representative". Mr. Ahtisaari said it was an "important and historic agreement" on the long road leading to free and fair elections in Namibia. It was also a significant step towards national reconciliation. He said he had been deeply impressed by the restraint, constructiveness and flexibility shown by party leaders in negotiating the code. * Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501) --- Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-