MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

International observers in US presidential election.

For the first time ever international observers will be monitoring United States November presidential elections, reported the US State Department.

Apparently Washington has invited the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe to be present in the elections. The delegates will include representatives from democratic institutions and human rights organizations.

"The US is forced to invite us, as all members of OSCE should be", said Urdur Gunnarsdottir who appealed to the "democratic commitment" which enables this kind of participation.

Thirteen Democrat members of Congress recently wrote to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan requesting international observers fearing the repeat of civil rights abuses during the 2000 presidential election in the state of Florida that were crucial for the victorious Republican party in one of the tightest presidential races.

When Mr. Annan replied that the request should come from the President Bush administration, the Democrat Congress members requested Secretary of State Colin Powell to sign the petition.

In a letter dated July 30 and signed by Paul Kelly, a Powell assistant and advisor, informed the Democrats that an invitation had been extended to the OSCE, but it did not mention United Nations.