Japanese Observers to Monitor Russian Parliamentary Elections

Text of report in English by Japan’s largest news agency Kyodo

Tokyo, Nov. 27 Kyodo – Japan will dispatch a team of election observers to monitor the Dec. 2 parliamentary elections in Russia, in response to Moscow’s request, Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said Tuesday.

“Japan hopes to see that the campaigning, voting and ballot counting are held in a fair and democratic manner,” Komura told reporters. Officials said the team will comprise of three observers from the Foreign Ministry and the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry.

The United States and European nations have expressed concerns over the transparency of the election. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, an international security organization, abandoned plans to monitor the voting after Moscow refused to issue visas for its election observers on time.

Originally published by Kyodo News Service, Tokyo, in English 0246 27 Nov 07.

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