TODAY: Putin accuses opposition of incoherence, suggests dialogue could begin if factions develop common platform.  Moscow City Hall says no to Sergei Udaltsov rally; analysis of Surkov’s departure; Medvedev’s new appointments.  Kremlin attacks Washington’s rights record; Hare Krishna text will not be banned; alcohol consumption dwindling? Extraordinary expenses; creepy caviar

‘They have many individual programs, but no unified one and no clear way to reach their goals, which are also not clear’: Prime Minister Putin’s verdict on the political opposition, given at a meeting with top members of the All Russia People’s Front.  Mr Putin apparently argued that there is no ‘common platform’  among his adversaries.  An article in the Economist agrees that there is a lack of coherence in the opposition movement and that ‘the best it can hope for at this stage is to erode his authority’.  The Prime Minister has reiterated that it would be impossible to annul the disputed December 4 election results, but pledged that the presidential election will be transparent.  He also stated that discussions with his opponents should be held, but he has yet to decide what ‘form’ this will take.   The Guardian described those comments as ‘the first signal that he might be prepared for dialogue with opposition groups’.   Putin has also rebuffed the idea of becoming acting president ahead of the March elections.