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OSCE to send 200 observers to Russian parliamentary election

The ODIHR plans sending the mission to Russia six weeks prior to the election

WARSAW, October 11 (Itar-Tass) — Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights /ODIHR/ that reports to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has received an invitation to send an observer mission to watch the December 2011 election to the lower house of Russian parliament, the State Duma, Jens Eschenbaecher, the ODIHR press secretary said.

He indicated that the ODIHR plans sending the mission to Russia six weeks prior to the election.

According to Eschenbaecher, the Russian side stated in its invitation it was ready to host not more than 200 observers, including the experts with long-term stays and short-term sojourns.

Eschenbaecher admitted that the ODIHR expected a greater quota but he said that 200 persons would be enough to the office to do the election monitoring job as it found appropriate.

The ODIHR initially harbored the hopes to sent 200 short-term observers and 60 long-term observers to Russia.

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Senior Chinese official to take part in conference on security in Russia — diplomat

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US assured Israel that Iranian drones will be intercepted — US journalist Hersh

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Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

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Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

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Military base near Iran’s Isfahan hit following attack — newspaper

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Iran suspends flights above several cities amid reports of air attack — IRNA

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Armenia’s relations with Russia not at their highest — top diplomat

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

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Chinese analyst sees US veto on Palestine as reflection of arrogance, double standards

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Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

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EU ministers to discuss use of Russian assets for Ukraine on April 22 — EU official

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French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

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US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 13 times in past day

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Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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Two pilots of jet that crashed in southern Russia hospitalized

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Nearly half of those present in UN Security Council hall walk out before Israel’s address

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Russian economy positively influences neighboring countries — Deputy PM

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Death toll in Gaza Strip since tensions escalated exceeds 34,000 — Health Ministry

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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