August 8, 2002	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 28,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: John Cushnahan, Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission to Pakistan, made it clear on Wednesday that if his team found the electoral process to be “seriously flawed” he would speak out.

“If in any elections serious things are happening, there are serious problems, it will be incumbent on me to say so,” asserted Mr Cushnahan. He added: “It is better to say so during the process than afterwards.”

Mr Cushnahan has been appointed by the EU Commission and Council to lead here its largest election observation team to date.

According to him the decision of the European Union to field its largest observation team here was governed by Pakistan’s strategic geo-political location.

Speaking at a crowded press conference at a local hotel he said at the outset that the role of his mission was not to interfere but confined to monitoring the country’s electoral process.

Mr Cushnahan maintained that his meeting earlier in the day with the chief election commissioner (CEC) Chief Justice (retd) Irshad Hasan Khan focused on concerns strictly related to how the mission would operate. He commented that he had expected the meeting to be a private one but it was held in the presence of media representatives.

To a question if he was satisfied with the steps taken so far by the Election Commission he said it was “unfair” and premature to comment on it at this point, adding that still there was “alot of work to do.”

He pointed out that his discussions with the CEC were inconclusive, indicating that he would have further meetings with him. It was important that a degree of impartiality was shown by the Election Commission and also a degree of freedom exhibited by the state media, he observed.

Referring to his meeting with the CEC, Mr Cushnahan said: “Any difference of opinion may be resolved,” hinting that he had some reservations on certain aspects of the process leading up to the elections.

Elaborating on the role of his mission Mr Cushnahan said: “Our role here is not to interfere in the internal politics of Pakistan. Our task is solely to observe the electoral process and to present to European Union headquarters a final report after our extensive work in the field in accordance with the criteria used for European Union election observation.”

He emphasised that the completion of the “roadmap to democracy” agreement was essential both for the long-term stability of Pakistan and for the wider stability of the region.

“The roadmap to democracy will be tested by what happens between now and the October 10 elections,” the EU chief observer said stressing the importance of a transparent pre-election process.

“It is about the pre-election process, if the electoral environment is seriously flawed then it justifies a public comment.”

Giving a further assurance on the issue he emphasised: “If the election process is flawed I will not be slow in saying so.”

Responding to questions regarding pre-election rigging Mr Cushnahan said he was cognizant of the issues being raised that he believed were fundamental to the election process. He said he would take all the issues in account in his evaluation of the pre-electoral process.

Asked whether to put pressure on Pakistan, EU would impose any sanctions if it found the election process to be seriously flawed, Mr Cushnahan said: “Our task is only to observe the elections and produce a report that will go to the EU commission and Council and they decide. It is a matter for European parliament to decide whether to take action or not.”

He said conclusions drawn by his mission will be taken on board by the European Union.