[DR1] Preparations under way for observers

[NewsWhore]

The permanent representative of the Organization of the American States (OAS), together with the heads of diplomatic missions and international assistance groups met to begin organizing the logistical needs for the many foreign observers who are expected to begin arriving over the next few weeks to monitor the May 16 elections. OAS representative Bertha Santoscoy told Hoy reporters that the advance party of observers would begin arriving at the end of April. In total, some 40 observers will be attending the elections. Volunteers from different diplomatic missions will also participate as electoral observers. Papal emissary Timothy Broglio referred to the possibility that there would be a massive abstention rate during the election, and said that this would be an example of abandoning the civic duty to vote. He recalled the old adage that says "the people get the government that they deserve." Ambassadors from Spain, Haiti Mexico, France, Panama, and Honduras were at the meeting, accompanied by Elena Brineman of the USAID office, the IDB representative for the DR, Moises Pineda and the Canadian first secretary, Verdei Milorin.

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