PACE Bureau decides not to deprive Russia of any powers because of events in South Ossetia

The statutory body of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) - its Bureau - has not supported the initiative of 24 MPs who demanded to adopt sanctions against Russian delegation because of the situation around South Ossetia, as Konstantin Kosachov, head of the RF's delegation, has reported.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported earlier that Konstantin Kosachov had stated that the Russian delegation at the PACE would recommend the country leaders not to remain in the CE, should any decision be adopted to suspend Russia's authorities in connection with events in South Ossetia.

"None of the participants of today's sitting of the Bureau has expressed any support of the offer to deprive the Russian delegation of its powers, as a group of MPs had demanded. All the speakers were either against it or preferred to remain neutral," the "Interfax" quotes the head of the Russian delegation as saying.

The RIA "Novosti" reports that for passage of a resolution or proposal, it is necessary that the initiative were supported by at least 20 signatories from among European parliamentarians; if it lacks this scale of support, it is automatically cancelled.

Mr Kosachov has reported that out of the above 24 signatures of the MPs who proposed to set up sanctions against Russia, two signatures were already recalled.