PACE Political committee favours the restoration of the full rights of the Russia delegation

The political committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has favoured the restoration of the full rights of the Russian delegation at the current winter session of PACE in Strasbourg. Well-informed sources in PACE have told Interfax that not a single vote was cast against the confirmation of the powers of the Russian delegation at the closed session of the committee. "There were only several abstentions," a source said. The powers of the delegation were questioned at the PACE session on Monday over the developments in Chechnya, where some deputies believe Russia's policy does not meet Council of Europe standards. Sources say now much is going to depend on the stance of the committee on legal affairs that will consider the question of the delegation's powers on Thursday. The same day PACE will hold hearings on Chechnya, after which the powers of the Russian delegation will be put to a vote, Interfax announces.