http://www.wftv.com/news/3533949/detail.htmlCentral Florida Lawmaker Wants U.N. To Monitor Presidential Election
POSTED: 5:18 pm EDT July 15, 2004
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A lawmaker who represents Central Florida is making a request that some say is outrageous. U.S. Congresswoman Corrine Brown wants the United Nations to monitor this year's presidential election.
Brown, who represents parts of Central Florida, says she doesn't want to see a repeat of the 2000 election. Thursday, she confirmed that plans are in the works to add international monitors.
Brown told Channel 9 Thursday that a group from Europe has confirmed it will come to the U.S., specifically Florida, as early as September to make sure that the elections, and elections offices, are run properly.
The 2000 election debacle has inspired Brown, and colleagues, to demand that the United Nations step in and oversee the upcoming election.
"Let me tell you something. The country looks weak. We don't have credibility around the world. We're talking about going to Iraq and other places to make sure they got democracy, and the world questions our democracy," Brown says.
Specifically, she says, in Florida.
The United Nations has turned down Brown's request. But, she claims, another organization, named the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, has agreed.
"We have received a response from 55 European countries. They're sending a team into Florida and into the United States in September," Brown says.
The volunteers, who she claims will not charge the U.S. government anything, will consist of several hundred members, many here in Florida to observe preparations and, of course, voting itself.
But state elections officers say there are no provisions for foreign citizens to have direct access to voting.
"Any of these observers will have to stay outside of the 50-foot mark at each of the polling places and they'll be able to have dialogue with voters as they come or go and then they are allowed to come into the elections office and ask questions. But they won't be in the polling place," says Bill Cowles, Supervisor of Elections.
"Do you know what the rest of the world thinks of us? Who are we to go around and tell other people this is how you should run your election when you can't get it right here?" questions Brown.
Brown says she'll be talking quite a bit more about this idea in the coming weeks, including later this month when she meets here in Florida with Jesse Jackson. She also says she'll be discussing the plan with local supervisors of elections before any observers arrive.