International Oversight - Intentional oversight ?

Welcoming the visit of Officials from the Warsaw-based Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in April. Welsh Secretary Peter Hain (the man with the tan from the can) said, before they set about looking at May’s elections to the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly.:

"The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights plays a key role in promoting the principles of democracy, not only within the territories of its own participating states but also in other parts of the world where new democratic structures are being developed.

"I very much hope that their assessment mission will result in good practices from Wales being adopted in other democracies. At the same time, we will be happy to look closely at any suggestions they may have for enhancing our own arrangements."

How very odd that they were not invited to cast their eye over the arrangements in Iraq for the referendum .. it's still not too late for their Parliamentary elections in December....