Russia To Press For Recognition Of Powers Of Belarussian Deputies In OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

The delegation of the Russian State Duma (Lower House of Parliament) will press for the recognition of the powers of the Belarussian deputies in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, whose permanent committee began to work in the Portuguese capital on Tuesday. Yelena Mizulina stressed in a statement for the press made upon arrival in the Lisbon airport on Tuesday that she hopes that the powers of the Belarussian deputies will finally be recognized. Misulina noted that Russia which regularly raises the question of the legitimization of Belarussian MPs at European level, is supported by a number of CIS countries, as well as "other states," but she did not specify which. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly continues to recognize as Belarus' lawful parliament the former Supreme Council of the 13th convocation. In Mizulina's opinion, this contradicts the legal documents of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. -0 (tol/ant) 09/10/01 11:29