WARNS NATO AGAINST EXPANDING INTO FORMER USSR.

In his remarks to reporters yesterday Ivanov also restated Moscow’s hardline opposition to any efforts by NATO to extend membership to the countries of the former Soviet Union. Repeating a line from his predecessor, current Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, Ivanov said that Moscow had drawn a “red line” around the countries of the former Soviet Union. Any attempt by NATO to cross that line would bring an “adequate” response from Moscow, Ivanov said.

Ivanov also repeated Moscow’s call for a series of measures aimed at counterbalancing NATO’s planned enlargement. Those measures include the drafting of a European security charter, the strengthening of the OSCE, and the infusion of the Russia-NATO Final Act with real substance. Ivanov said that adequate progress in these areas would contribute to stability in Europe. But an overemphasis on enlarging NATO at the expense of these other processes would “complicate” the situation in Europe, Ivanov warned.

ILVES RESIGNS FROM GOVERNMENT.