US supports democratic development in Iraq
Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/19/2005

Asked about "reports that talk about the administration trying to influence the outcome of the Iraqi election and there has been denial to that.Ê But are you aware of any money that's been given to Ayad Allawi's campaign, in particular through a third party that was not direct?"

US Department Of State spokesman Sean McCormack yesterday said "I can speak to the State Department and the State Department has a full range of programs known to the public to support democratic parties around the world, including Iraq.Ê These were publicized and known in Iraq as they were occurring in the run-up to the elections, to which you refer."

McCormack added "What the State Department implemented for Iraq was that at all times consistent with the standards we use around the world to work with parties that support democracy, public integrity, the rule of law and the renunciation of violence."

The spokesman added "Our programs total at about $60 million of State Department programs -- $60 million in Iraq.Ê And the funds were administered in an open and public manner by the National Endowment for Democracy, the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute and provided technical and material support to all of the elections within that transitional election cycle.

"There included administrating voter registration, developing a regulatory framework, training in staffing and in conducting polling, and an additional $11 million was appropriated for human rights programs and $10 million for women's programs.Ê In addition, USAID awarded $50 million to a consortium of U.S. nongovernmental organizations to support civil society in all phases of the elections.Ê This included the January 30th election and the October constitutional referendum, in December, assembly elections.Ê And was intended to build the capacity of the Iraqi people to provide election oversight and transparency.

"I would further note that over 23 domestic Iraqi elections monitors, the International Mission for Iraqi Elections, thousands of Iraqi political party representatives and the Iraqi international journalists observe the conduct of the January 30 elections from polling places to vote tallying.Ê Their reports on the election, I think, speak for themselves."

Previous Stories:
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