Ambassador

Ambassador's Speeches

Remarks by Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt
On the launching of the Carter Center observation project in Cote d’Ivoire
November 7, 2008

I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the launch of the Carter Center’s observation program to support the electoral process in Cote d’Ivoire.

As you know, this past Tuesday, November 4 was a historic day for the United States.  Over 136 million Americans stood in long lines – sometimes for several hours – in order to have an opportunity to exercise our democratic right to cast a vote and choose the next leaders of our country.

Did you also know, however, that on election day in the United States, over 4,000 foreign observers came to witness American democracy at work? Journalists from every corner of the globe – including journalists from Cote d’Ivoire - came to the United States to witness and report on how the American election was conducted. 

In that spirit of transparency and openness that characterizes strong democracies, the Carter Center is launching an observation program of the identification and voter registration process. It will also deploy observers for presidential elections.

I cannot think of a better organization to carry out this observation mission than the Carter Center.  The Carter Center is a model for impartial observation of elections.  Since 1989, they have observed 71 elections in 28 countries, including elections in many West African countries.  Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Ghana have all benefited from the election monitoring expertise of Carter Center staff.  

I believe the impartial presence of the Carter Center in Cote d’Ivoire will help ensure that the electoral process is conducted in a fair and transparent manner, and I commend the Government of Cote d’Ivoire for inviting the Carter Center to take part in assisting the country on its path to a stronger and more vibrant democracy.