The OSCE\'s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) announced in a January 31 press release on the organization\'s website (http://www.osce.org) that it will not observe Turkmenistan\'s February 11 presidential election. The press release stated that the \"deployment of an election observation mission was not possible because of time constraints.\" ODIHR has deployed an Election Support Team led by Slovak Ambassador Lubomir Kopaj at the invitation of Turkmen authorities. \"This should be considered as a first step of a renewed dialogue with the Turkmen authorities on electoral processes and a range of other issues,\" ODIHR Director Christian Strohal commented. (RFE/RL)