Carter. Coming to the region
Photo: AP
Carter to monitor PA elections
Former American President Jimmy Carter set to arrive in region to supervise Palestinian elections in January, ensure democratic, clean process
Former United States President Jimmy Carter will arrive in the region soon, as head of an American monitors delegation that will supervise elections on January 25 for the Legislative Council in the Palestinian Authority.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright may join the delegation as well, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday.
The delegation will represent the American National Democratic Institute (NDI), an organization headed by the former state secretary, which specializes in dispatching envoys to countries across the world, in a bid to ensure democratic, transparent and proper elections.
Some 80-100 monitors are expected to arrive, including high ranking government officials, senators, congressmen and governors. Some of the envoys have already arrived in the region, and are expected to remain here for two months.
In addition to the American monitors, Canadian and European observers are also planning to operate during elections as well.
Representatives of NDI met with Foreign Ministry officials several days ago, in a bid to coordinate the monitors' activity during elections.
During the meeting, Israeli representatives stressed Israel's concern regarding the participation of Hamas in the elections, and stated that although Israel will not interfere with the internal Palestinian process, the involvement of a terror organization in the elections is worrying and raises hard questions.
