SG/SM/10618
     8 September 2006

Secretary-General Congratulates Mexican People for Commitment to Democracy, Following Announcement of Winner of Presidential Election

NEW YORK, 7 September (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General takes note of the announcement by Mexico's highest electoral authority declaring Felipe Calderón Hinojosa the winner of the presidential elections held on 2 July 2006.  He congratulates the Mexican people for their commitment to democracy and the exemplary way in which they turned out to vote. He recognizes the efforts of more than a decade to build the country's electoral institutions.

The Secretary-General sincerely hopes that the country can now move forward, in the interest of all Mexicans, along a path of inclusive national development and economic opportunities for all.

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