3 Aprilie 2009 — On April 1, 2009, the U.S. Senate passed a Resolution by unanimous consent urging the Government of the Republic of Moldova to ensure a fair and democratic election process for the parliamentary elections on April 5, 2009. The resolution was sponsored by Sen Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN] and co-sponsored by Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD] and Sen Kerry, John F. [D-MA]. = Beginning text of S.Res. 56 = 111th CONGRESS, 1st Session, S. RES. 56 RESOLUTION Urging the Government of Moldova to ensure a fair and democratic election process for the parliamentary elections on April 5, 2009. Whereas Senate Resolution 60, 110th Congress, agreed to February 17, 2005, expressed the support of the Senate for democratic reform in Moldova and urged the Government of Moldova to ensure a democratic and fair election process for the parliamentary elections on March 6, 2005, by ensuring “unimpeded access by all parties and candidates to print, radio, television, and Internet media on a nondiscriminatory basis” and “the right of opposition candidates and workers to engage in campaigning free of harassment, discrimination, and intimidation”; Whereas the Election Observation Mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) found that, while the parliamentary elections in 2005 generally complied with most of the OSCE commitments and other international standards, “they fell short of some that are central to a genuinely competitive election process”, in particular “campaign conditions and access to media”, confirming the “negative trends already noted in the 2003 local elections”; Whereas the Election Observation Mission found that the local elections held in June 2007 in Moldova were generally well administered but “fell short of a number of OSCE commitments central to a competitive electoral process”, in particular by not fully respecting “the right of citizens to seek public office and equitable media access”; Whereas Freedom House, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization working to advance the expansion of freedom, again in 2008 designated the political environment of Moldova as only “partly free”; Whereas political liberties and civil rights are key indicators of eligibility for support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation, an entity of the United States Government, which is now considering a sizeable grant for the economic and political development of Moldova; and Whereas recent actions by entities of the Government of Moldova raise serious questions about the readiness of the Government of Moldova to break free from the unfortunate patterns established in the elections in 2003, 2005, and 2007 and to create the campaign conditions and access to media required for truly free and fair elections: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— (1) reaffirms the strong, mutually beneficial relationship that exists between the United States Government and the Government of Moldova; (2) recognizes that the development of a genuinely democratic political system in Moldova is a precondition for the full integration of Moldova into the Western community of nations and the provision of assistance necessary to attain such integration; (3) urges the Government of Moldova to meet its commitments to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, especially in respect to the conduct of elections, by guaranteeing— (A) unimpeded access by all parties and candidates to public print, radio, television, and Internet media on a nondiscriminatory basis; (B) the ability of independent media to cover campaigns on an unrestricted basis; (C) the right of opposition candidates and workers to engage in campaigning free of harassment, discrimination, and intimidation; and (D) adequate means for citizens of Moldova residing abroad to cast their ballots; and (4) in light of the steps taken by the Government of Moldova, pledges the continued support of the United States Government for the establishment in Moldova of a fully free and democratic system, the creation of a prosperous market economy, and the assumption by Moldova of its rightful place as a full and equal member of the Western community of democracies. = End text of S.Res. 56 =