WEST SEEN AS AMBIGUOUS ON NATO’S ENLARGEMENT.

Lithuanian Parliament Chairman Vytautas Landsbergis yesterday warned against potential consequences of “Western countries’ ambivalence” over NATO’s enlargement. NATO countries on the one hand assure the Baltic states that they are eligible for membership, but on the other hand “express doubts because Russia is opposed…. They keep telling us to stay on particularly good terms with Russia, as one of the main conditions for membership; but they are not asking Russia to maintain good relations with us,” Landsbergis observed. As a result, the onus for improving relations with Moscow is being shifted onto its small Baltic neighbors. Landsbergis made the remarks after meeting with Lord Nicholas Bethel, the prominent specialist on Russian affairs, who currently chairs the Britain-Lithuania society (BNS, September 15).

WORLD BANK RESUMES LENDING TO UKRAINE…