Annan urges preparations for polls

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday urged the CAR government to expedite its preparations for the presidential election scheduled for later this year. In a report to the Security Council, he said further delays or a reduction in electoral support for CAR may jeopardise the entire purpose of the UN mission, MINURCA. He urged the Council to support the plan submitted by the mission to “ensure an acceptable level of observation of the freedom and fairness” of the election process. “The deployment plans are essential to make the election credible,” he said. Annan said the delays experienced so far had “seriously impaired” the degree to which MINURCA could assist the process. He also appealed for financial assistance to restructure the armed forces, police and gendarmerie. “Further progress in the establishment of a well-trained and adequately-equipped security force is essential in view of the volatility of the situation within and around the Central African Republic,” he said.