Nicaraguan election observers and campaign freedom
The Minister said international observers could attend only by invitation, with EEC states to consider their response if invited. Nicaragua had stated parties could campaign freely; Ireland welcomed this and hoped all views could participate equally.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will seek assurances that the elections to be held in Nicaragua will be attended by at least one international observer from the EEC; that he will seek guarantees that parties representing all political views will be allowed to campaign freely; and if will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
Observers can attend only at the invitation of the government of Nicaragua. It will be for the member states of the European Community, including Ireland, to consider their reactions if and when such invitations are received.
Elections are scheduled for 4 November and the government of Nicaragua have stated that all political parties will be allowed to campaign freely. We welcome this statement and hope that all shades of political opinion will have the opportunity of participating in the elections on an equal footing. This would be a significant step towards the establishment of pluralistic democracy in Nicaragua.