Azerbaijani troops controlling an antigovernment demonstration in Baku on 18 June (epa)
27 October 2005 -- The United States has welcomed measures announced by Azerbaijan's government that, if implemented, could improve the integrity and transparency of next month's parliamentary elections.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement that the United States urges the government of Azerbaijan to implement the measures quickly and to allow for peaceful freedom of assembly by Azerbaijanis.
The U.S. statement cited pledges by Azerbaijani authorities to use accurate voter lists, reliable voter identification documents, and the finger-inking of voters to eliminate multiple voting in the 6 November poll.
The U.S. statement added that Washington calls on all Azerbaijani political activists to take advantage of what it called "emerging democratic opportunities" to pursue an election that meets international standards.
(AFP)