Speech #1020178691

But on Tuesday an election was held in a nation where 77.5 percent of all eligible adults voteda turnout rate of more than 3 out of 4. This election followed a campaign that was hotly contested and hard fought. And although over 10 percent of the electorate were recent immigrants from a totalitarian statemany of whom had never voted before in their livesthe election was perfectly fair. without incident or any hint ot impropriety. More amazing is that this election was held In the Middle Easta region of the world that is a downright desert for democracy. In the Middle East millions of people live without suffrage. without civil liberties. without human rights.