30 April 2003

Yemen, Qatar Praised for "Significant Milestones" Towards Democracy
(Powell statement says elections, referendum are important for region
as a whole) (540)

Secretary Powell congratulated the governments and citizens of Yemen
and Qatar on behalf of the United States for "significant milestones"
made in late April to advance democracy and representative governments
in both countries.

In an April 30 statement released by the State Department, Powell
commended the April 27 parliamentary elections in Yemen, which he said
were "based on principles of universal suffrage and direct ballots,"
and "mostly free and fair."

Powell said the voter turnout was estimated at 75 percent, and that
women voters were able to greatly increase their participation since
the previous round of elections held in 1997.

The secretary congratulated Qatar for its April 29 referendum on the
country's new draft constitution, in which there was an 84 percent
voter turnout, and 96.6 percent of the voters gave their approval to
the document.

"The constitution and its provisions for an elected legislature
demonstrate the Qatari government's commitment to representative
government and the protection of individual rights and freedoms," said
Powell.

"These are important developments for Yemen, Qatar, and the region as
a whole, and we will continue to work as partners with Yemen and Qatar
-- and our friends throughout the region -- as they build the
institutions and practices of a democratic society," he said.

Following is the text of Secretary Powell's statement on Parliamentary
Elections in Yemen and Constitutional Referendum in Qatar:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 30, 2003

Statement by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

Parliamentary Elections in Yemen and Constitutional Referendum in
Qatar

The United States wishes to extend its congratulations to the people
and governments of Yemen and Qatar for the achievement of significant
milestones earlier this week on the road to democracy and
representative government.

On Sunday, April 27, the Republic of Yemen conducted parliamentary
elections, the third in its history, based on principles of universal
suffrage and direct ballots. Initial reports indicate that the
election was mostly free and fair, with voter turnout estimated at 75
percent and greatly increased the participation of women voters since
the last round in 1997. The United States extends its congratulations
to the people of Yemen and the Yemeni government for its conduct of
these elections.

The United States also wishes to congratulate the Qatari people and
the Government of Qatar on the conduct of the April 29 referendum on
the new draft constitution released earlier this month. The
constitution was approved yesterday by 96.6 percent of voters and
voter turnout was estimated to be 84 percent. The constitution and its
provisions for an elected legislature demonstrate the Qatari
government's commitment to representative government and the
protection of individual rights and freedoms. We note that this
referendum follows closely upon municipal elections conducted in Qatar
on April 7, which resulted in the election of Qatar's first woman to
public office.

These are important developments for Yemen, Qatar, and the region as a
whole, and we will continue to work as partners with Yemen and Qatar
-- and our friends throughout the region -- as they build the
institutions and practices of a democratic society.

(end text)