Watchdog calls off Russian mission

EUROPE’S main elections watchdog yesterday called off its observer mission to Russia’s forthcoming parliamentary polls citing a lack of co-operation, but Moscow shrugged off the charge.

The Russian authorities “remain unwilling to receive... observers in a timely and co-operative manner and co-operate fully with them”, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said.

In a statement the OSCE said it would “be unable to deliver its mandate under these circumstances” in the December 2 polls and had written to Russian authorities to tell them it “regretted this conclusion”.

The OSCE said that despite the hurdles, it had tried to “deliver its mandate conscientiously and in good faith”.

It applied for its monitors’ visas on November 2, aiming to deploy an advance team of 20 people by November 7 and the remaining 50 by November 15.

“Despite repeated attempts... entry visas have continuously been denied,” it said.

Russia accused the OSCE of being slow to submit the necessary paperwork.

The announcement was a sign of growing tensions between Russia and the west.

While Russia has become increasingly confident since President Vladimir Putin came to power eight years ago, the western powers have pressed Moscow to be more democratic and co-operative on the international stage.

Also yesterday, Russian legislators voted to suspend compliance with a key Cold War-era arms control pact from next month.

Moscow’s reaction to the OSCE move was dismissive and did not address the criticism about lack of co-operation.

“We are not dramatising a decision like that,” said Russian foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin.

“The elections are our sovereign right and they are aimed at strengthening democracy in our country.”

But Russian election commission member Igor Borisov blasted the OSCE for “refusing to fulfil its main functions”, it was reported.

In Brussels, the European Commission urged Mr Putin to ensure the polls “would be open and respect international standards”.