Many of the most effective observer groups were barred from the elections: the European Union, the United States, a Southern African parliamentary group, South Africa's main trade-union body and several others were told to stay away.

ECONOMIST: Mostly peaceful, but hardly fair | The

The Conference of Parliamentarians for UNESCO on 3 October (Room X, 9.45 a.m to 6.00 p.m.) will bring together over 100 parliamentarians who serve as focal points for UNESCO and representatives of organizations including the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino), the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU).

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES