UNIS/SGSM/055
30 June 2008
Outcome of the Presidential Elections in Zimbabwe
Did Not Produce a Legitimate Result
Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
VIENNA, 30 June (UN Information Service) -- The Secretary-General supports the views expressed by the President of the Security Council regretting the decision by the Government of Zimbabwe to go ahead with the presidential elections. The Secretary-General has said repeatedly that conditions were not in place for a free and fair election and observers have confirmed this from the deeply flawed process. The outcome did not reflect the true and genuine will of the Zimbabwean people or produce a legitimate result.
The Secretary-General encourages efforts of the two sides to negotiate a political solution that would end violence and intimidation. He supports the efforts of the African Union and Southern African Development Community (SADC) to promote an agreement acceptable to the people of Zimbabwe. The Deputy Secretary-General and his Envoy, Mr. Haile Menkerios are at the Africa Union Summit and are ready to help in any way possible to produce this result.
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