Statement delivered by Henry L. Mac Donald LL.M. and LL.M.
on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Suriname in the Regular Meeting of the
OAS Permanent Council, on the recently held elections in Guyana,
September 6, 2006

My delegation has listened with keen interest to the report regarding the preliminary findings of the electoral observation mission led by the Assistant Secretary General in Guyana.

We will certainly leave here today convinced, that our sister nation Guyana, has successfully departed from the fears and anxiety that have harmfully influenced the electoral process in this member state for so long.

The tranquility and peacefulness expressed by the Guyanese people and the political actors during these most recent elections need to be recognized and applauded, and is testimony of the new road Guyana has departed on with regard to the full and nonviolent enjoyment of democracy in this country.

My delegation would like to congratulate the Government and People of Guyana on behalf of H.E. President Runaldo Venetiaan and the Government and People of Suriname for conducting transparent, peaceful and fair elections and for clearly demonstrating their commitment to democracy.

We would also like to congratulate the OAS, but particularly the Assistant Secretary General and his highly dedicated and professional team of observers, for conducting a comprehensive observation throughout the entire country, and for once again bringing much acknowledgment and standing to the electoral monitoring process established by this Organization.

The OAS has yet again delivered and fulfilled its responsibility as the main facilitator of representative democracy in the American Hemisphere, with competence and professionalism.

Finally, we would like to commend the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), for organizing and carrying out the elections as well as, the political parties that participated in the polls, for their trust and collaboration in the electoral process, for keeping the peace during the pre and post election period, by conducting themselves in an tidy and responsible way, and lastly but most significantly, for helping to make the enjoyment of peaceful elections a new and constructive experience for the Guyanese people.

Thank you very much.