OSCE ODIHR TO SEND A LONG-TERM OBSERVATION MISSION TO ARMENIA

armradio.am
28.02.2007 16:06

March 15-23 the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights (ODIHR) intends to send a long-term observation mission to
Armenia, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Vladimir
Pryakhin told ArmInfo.

In his words, 24 observers will arrive in Armenia during the period
mentioned, who will observe the election campaign. Ambassador Pryakhin
reminded that the Armenian side has requested the OSCE ODIHR, the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe to send observing missions. "A sort-term observation
group comprised of 300 persons will arrive in Armenia 1-2 days prior
to the elections. The group is much larger than the one observing
the previous elections, which was comprised of 180 persons," the
OSCE Ambassador mentioned. He added that according to the current
procedure, every OSCE member state has the right to send a mission
comprised of 30 people, i.e. 30% of the quota. "There are countries
which do not use the right because of lack of means and specialists,"
Ambassador Pryakhin mentioned.