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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Russia 'curbing poll observers' | Russia 'curbing poll observers' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Russia is seeking "unprecedented" curbs on monitors observing its parliamentary polls, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) says. | Russia is seeking "unprecedented" curbs on monitors observing its parliamentary polls, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) says. |
| Moscow wants limits on the size of the OSCE delegation at the 2 December poll, and consultation on its make-up. | Moscow wants limits on the size of the OSCE delegation at the 2 December poll, and consultation on its make-up. |
| "This is not business as usual," an OSCE spokeswoman said, adding that such conditions could seriously limit the chance for "meaningful observation". | "This is not business as usual," an OSCE spokeswoman said, adding that such conditions could seriously limit the chance for "meaningful observation". |
| Washington has criticised Russia's move to limit the OSCE watchdogs' role. | Washington has criticised Russia's move to limit the OSCE watchdogs' role. |
| "We are concerned and disappointed by the belated timing and the conditional nature of Russia's invitation to election observers," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. | "We are concerned and disappointed by the belated timing and the conditional nature of Russia's invitation to election observers," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. |
| "Any conditions that are placed on them are a concern to us and we will certainly be bringing this up with the Russians," she said. | "Any conditions that are placed on them are a concern to us and we will certainly be bringing this up with the Russians," she said. |
| The OSCE international security body often sends monitors to elections. Its 56 member states come from Europe, Central Asia and the US and Canada. | |
| The body typically sends a delegation of election observers to a country after receiving an official invitation. | The body typically sends a delegation of election observers to a country after receiving an official invitation. |
| The OSCE says it does not enter into discussions on the size and composition of the delegation. | The OSCE says it does not enter into discussions on the size and composition of the delegation. |
| 'Ready for dialogue' | 'Ready for dialogue' |
| Urdur Gunnarsdottir, spokeswoman for the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, said the terms suggested in the Russian letter were unprecedented. | Urdur Gunnarsdottir, spokeswoman for the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, said the terms suggested in the Russian letter were unprecedented. |
| "We have to consider its implications," she told the BBC News website. | "We have to consider its implications," she told the BBC News website. |
| Ms Gunnarsdottir quoted the letter as saying Moscow was "ready for a dialogue on the composition of the mission". | Ms Gunnarsdottir quoted the letter as saying Moscow was "ready for a dialogue on the composition of the mission". |
| She said the letter from the Central Election Commission in Moscow also suggested that the OSCE delegation "could comprise up to 70 persons" - far short of the 465 sent to Russia's last parliamentary elections four years ago. | She said the letter from the Central Election Commission in Moscow also suggested that the OSCE delegation "could comprise up to 70 persons" - far short of the 465 sent to Russia's last parliamentary elections four years ago. |
| December's elections are expected to deliver victory to United Russia, the largest party loyal to President Vladimir Putin. | December's elections are expected to deliver victory to United Russia, the largest party loyal to President Vladimir Putin. |
| Mr Putin, who steps down as president next year, is popular among many Russians for his economic and foreign policies. | Mr Putin, who steps down as president next year, is popular among many Russians for his economic and foreign policies. |
| However, opposition groups and human rights activists have accused him of resurrecting Soviet-era authoritarianism. | However, opposition groups and human rights activists have accused him of resurrecting Soviet-era authoritarianism. |
| No debate | No debate |
| United Russia said on Tuesday that it will not take part in televised debates with rival parties. | United Russia said on Tuesday that it will not take part in televised debates with rival parties. |
| "We are indeed not going to participate in the debates," party official Andrei Vorobyov said. | "We are indeed not going to participate in the debates," party official Andrei Vorobyov said. |
| "We intend to use the time allotted by the law for explaining the main thing to voters - Putin's plan," Mr Vorobyov told Interfax news agency. | "We intend to use the time allotted by the law for explaining the main thing to voters - Putin's plan," Mr Vorobyov told Interfax news agency. |
| Russia media reports say the debates have been scheduled for off-peak viewing times such as mid-morning or late at night. | Russia media reports say the debates have been scheduled for off-peak viewing times such as mid-morning or late at night. |
| All 11 parties contesting the December election are entitled to TV airtime to put across their views. | All 11 parties contesting the December election are entitled to TV airtime to put across their views. |
| Lyudmila Alexeyeva, the head of the Moscow Helsinki Group, a human rights body, told Ekho Moskvy radio the leaders of United Russia "don't have political convictions" and therefore "cannot engage in a political debate". | Lyudmila Alexeyeva, the head of the Moscow Helsinki Group, a human rights body, told Ekho Moskvy radio the leaders of United Russia "don't have political convictions" and therefore "cannot engage in a political debate". |