TODAY: US disappointed with Russia’s stance on OSCE; Medvedev hopeful on Obama talks; Abkhazia’s President Bagapsh wary of Russian control; Russia suggests ruble reserve currency for G8; prognosis not good for Russia-EU meeting; gay rights parade broken up

Talks on replacing the START treaty will begin today, the Economist reports.  President Medvedev is apparently optimistic that in his upcoming meeting with President Obama even thorny topics will be discussed.  US defense missile sites in Eastern Europe, one such example, will apparently be on the agenda.  Will OSCE monitoring also be?  Washington is apparently frustrated with Russia’s veto of the security watchdog’s activity in Georgia.  ‘It is disappointing and we hope that Russia will reverse its stance‘,  says a State Department spokesman.  An article in the New York Times reports that despite close links with Russia, Abkhazia will not fall under the Federation’s thumb and intends to ‘defend its statehood.’  The breakaway region will not be attending the international peace talks on Georgia.  Ex-officials in South Ossetia say that corruption has been rife in the region since last year’s conflict and state aid been coopted by politicians.