October 16, 2009 By Citizen M

RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – October 16, 2009

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TODAY: Medvedev offers little support to opposition on Duma walkout; speculation mounts – was the protest rigged as well as the elections?; Russia faces UN human rights council; international criticism of crack-down on Arkhangelsk historian grows. Russia ‘upset’ by US talks on missile defense with Ukraine.  Putin to make Family Guy appearance.

President Medvedev will move forward his scheduled meeting with Duma deputies to October 24, following their election-related protests, although he maintains that the United Russia victory is legitimate.  LDPR and A Just Russia have said they will end their boycott imminently, whilst the Communist faction will not attend today’s session.  According to Reuters, Kremlin opponents say that Medvedev’s backing of the election results demonstrates the paucity of his pledge towards greater political freedom.  Is the rivalry between ideologue Vladislav Surkov and Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin the real story behind the walkout?  An article on RFE/RL is also cynical about the authenticity of the protesters’ motives, for ‘Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky is no oppositionist’.