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Statement by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza
Mexico City, July 2, 2006 –
“Fair and transparent elections are the underpinning of
democracy. Though everyone hopes and expects to see a clear and
decisive victory on Election Day, the transparent process of reviewing
ballots is also a fundamental tenet of democratic government.
“I am convinced Mexicans will wait patiently and prudently
as the Federal Electoral Institute reviews today’s voting
records. I know that that the Federal Electoral Institute’s
procedures will be thorough and transparent, and will result in
a victory -- not only for a democratically-elected President --
but for all Mexicans.
 “I
congratulate Mexico, and take the opportunity to say again that
the United States looks forward to working with the President-elect
-- whoever is declared the winner -- on the broad range of ongoing
and important U.S.-Mexico issues.
“Ninety-five observers from the U.S Embassy and our Consulates
in Mexico, along with international observers from countries around
the world, visited polling sites in Mexico today to witness democracy
in action. I, too, had the honor of serving as an election observer
in polling places in Iztapalapa, Lomas de Chapultepec, and Cuauhtémoc.
In each polling place, I witnessed people exercising their fundamental
democratic rights in an orderly and organized fashion.
“I believe that the actions of Mexico’s current administration,
the political parties, and the transparency of its election-monitoring
body, the IFE, will further strengthen civic pride and Mexico’s
place in the world as a prime example of the world’s strong
democracies.”
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