Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Jan 18, SPA -- The Organization for Securityand Cooperation in Europe launched a mission in Kyrgyzstanon Tuesday to observe the Feb. 27 parliamentary electionsin this ex-Soviet republic. The mission includes 30 long-term observers who willassess how well the electoral process complies withinternational standards for democratic elections andnational laws, the OSCE, Europe's largest security group,said in a statement. Kyrgyz voters will elect deputies to a new, single-chamberparliament that will replace the current two-chamberlegislature. The 75 parliamentary seats will be contestedby three opposition movements and two pro-presidentialparties. The parliamentary vote is seen as a democracy test forPresident Askar Akayev who has recently faced accusationsof trying to tighten his grip on power. The vote is alsoseen as a test of strength for various political groupsahead of the presidential election in October. Twelve long-term OSCE observers will be based in thecapital Bishkek and the 18 others will be sent to theprovinces, the mission said. The OSCE is planning to deploy170 short-term monitors for election day. None of Kyrgyzstan's previous elections was recognized byinternational observers as free and fair.--SPA1424 Local Time 1124 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/233448