TODAY: Medvedev outlines further anti-corruption measures, positive on Obama meeting; Russia may abandon plans to supply missile system to Iran; European Court of Human Rights rules against Kremlin; heroin, disappearing ink.

As part of his drive against corruption, which ‘has become the most complicated and sensitive of issues’ thanks to the economic crisis, President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree to reform the civil service system in 2009-2013.  Reforms include a new management system, modernized technology, and the intention to increase the ‘professionalism’ of employees.  Medvedev is making optimistic predictions for a preliminary meeting with his US counterpart. ‘The signals we are receiving today from the US – I mean most of all the signals I am receiving from President Obama – seem to me quite positive,’ he said, following a meeting of former US senators focused on the need for improved relations.  Russia has ‘not excluded‘ the possibility of abandoning plans to deliver its advanced S-300 air defense missile system to Iran.