Clinton due in Russia day after marred elections

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to arrive in Moscow today, one day after a Moscow election that opposition parties roundly decried as full of violations.

Ruling party United Russia, headed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, won 32 of 35 seats to the Moscow city parliament, leaving three seats to the Communist Party. The liberal Yabloko party and far-right LDPR were shut out. Democratic opposition parties were barred from running. Turnout was low, hovering just over 34 percent, but United Russia said the results showed its anti-crisis policy was resoundedly supported by the population.

Reports of violations — ballot stuffing, paying off voters — were widespread.

Other regions also held elections. Regions like Chechnya and Ingushetia claimed turnouts of over 90 percent. Reports of widespread chaos came out of neighboring Dagestan, including the kidnapping of an election official. The head of Russia’s Election Commission flew to the republic and later insisted everything there was calm.

Wonder if Clinton will broach the sticky subject? Talks on Iran and bilateral nuclear arms cuts are due to top the agenda when she meets President Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov tomorrow.

http://www.globalpost.com/notebook/russia-and-its-neighbors/091012/clinton-due-russia-day-after-marred-elections