LATEST: Russia urges OSCE to send observers to Crimea referendum

MOSCOW – Russia on Friday called on the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to send its observers to monitor Crimea’s controversial referendum on independence from Ukraine.

The foreign ministry said it “calls on the leadership of the OSCE, its member states and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to renounce the practice of ‘double standards’ and positively consider an invitation from the Crimean authorities to take part in monitoring the upcoming referendum” on Sunday. –AFP.