2009-04-13/12:39 Info-Prim Neo interview with the head of the OSCE-ODIHR election observing mission to Moldova, Nikolai Vulchanov.

So, have the elections been rigged or have they not?

I don't know. There are institutions here to say that. We are here to observe the process and to establish the compliance of the process with the commitments of the OSCE. And the commitments are listed in the 1999 Copenhagen document. It 's a good document. So I cannot answer such a question.

You are aware of the developments here in Chisinau. As a consultant, as a wise man, what would you suggest for a way out from this crisis situation. What can the world community do?

This is again a question which is far beyond my mandate and beyond my knowledge. I'm really a consultant, but I'm a consultant with the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, I'm not a consultant just to everyone.

What if you step aside from your position and just express a personal opinion?

I don't have a personal opinion.

What is your assessment about the conduct of the Broadcasting Coordinating Council during the election period?

Have you read our statement? Then I don't have to repeat it. Info-Prim Neo's note – In its preliminary findings, the ODIHR mission states that “The Audiovisual Co-ordinating Council failed to act in a timely manner to address the problems related to the media coverage of the campaign.”

British member of the European Parliament Emma Nicholson assessed the report of the ODIHR as too warm, after the riots erupted in Chisinau. Would you agree with her opinion?

I cannot comment on the opinion of anyone else. Our opinion is reflected in the statement. When we write the final report we'll see what deserves to be reflected in the report or not. As a rule, the final report is issued two months after the completion of the process, that is after the parliamentarians start working.

Do you think the trustworthiness of the OSCE as a democracy advocate has suffered in any way because of the events that happened in Chisinau after the elections?

I'm part of the OSCE on this assignment, so I cannot comment on such a question. As I said what has been written in the statement on the April 6, at 2 p.m. I stand behind it. Full stop.