September 30, 2009 By Citizen M

RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – September 30, 2009

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TODAY:  Georgia-Russia tensions simmer in advance of EU report; Council of Europe hullabaloo.  Russia edgy on Washington’s new defense scheme; Obama forward looking; Kremlin does not feel Iran missiles justify sanctions.  Journalist in hiding over anti-Soviet article; no joy for beer drinkers and hackers

Accusations are flying ahead of today’s publication of EU-backed report on the war in Georgia which is expected to be critical of both parties.  The Times says that Georgia has preemptively accused Russia of spreading ‘patently false information about fictitious attacks on Russian peacekeepers’.  Tbilisi has also claimed that the report has concluded that Russian troops were responsible for ethnic cleansing during the conflict.  Russia is bristling at motions in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe that accuse the Kremlin of continuing to pursue an aggressive policy in the region.  The Russian delegation will apparently not take part in the Council’s upcoming meeting that may strip it of its voting rights.  PACE has also argued that Russia should allow EU observers access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia before the year is out.  The Moscow Times reports that EU monitors have increased their patrols in Georgia to ease tensions.  The Abkhazian foreign minister has asserted that Georgia will be held responsible for any future confrontation with Russia in the Black Sea.