11 observers from OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights arrive in Belarus, with 37 more due: over 4,000 mission observers in all will follow the election process, with assistance from Belarus.
The Chair of Belarus’ Central Election Commission, Lidia Yermoshina, recently reported the figures to the Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), Jacques Faure. The French diplomat has previously visited Belarus, having co-chaired the OSCE Minsk group, which aimed to settle the Nagorny Karabakh conflict in 1992. Mr. Faure also worked as the French Ambassador to Ukraine and is familiar with the post-Soviet space. He is aware of Belarus’ readiness for equal righted and constructive co-operation.
Mr. Faure has asked the Central Election Commission of Belarus to render assistance in providing documents and contacts. Immediate guarantees have been given in this respect, as have been provided to the head of the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission.
The Foreign Ministry informs us: ‘Belarus has confirmed its readiness to take all necessary measures to hold elections in full compliance with national legislation and international obligations. We hope to see an objective and unbiased approach from international observers in their assessment of Belarus’ election campaign’.
By Maxim Osipov
