OSCE observers head expected in Minsk

Gert Arens, the head of OSCE monitoring mission, is expected to arrive in Minsk. On August 11, he is scheduled to meet with the officials at the Central Elections Commission. Mikalai Lazavik, the secretary of the Central Elections Commission, says his agency is satisfied that it will be Gert Arens to lead the mission of OSCE observers during the parliamentary elections in Belarus.

"We have developed good business-like relations with Mr Arens when he headed the OSCE monitoring mission during the (2006) presidential elections. Despite the fact that the mission's conclusions were generally negative, we feel respect for this man. He is a decent specialist who evaluates the electoral process rather than political issues", Interfax quotes Lazavik as saying.

Over 300 OSCE observers are expected to monitor the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28 in Belarus.