Russia outlines new defence doctrine

Russia has announced a new defence doctrine outlining a more aggressive stance towards the west, including the possible use of its nuclear arsenal. The doctrine envisages the use of nuclear weapons if Russia feels itself threatened and when all other means of resolving the crisis have been exhausted. Russian officials say the new doctrine focuses more on fighting terrorism and organised crime, but it also seeks to re-establish Russia as a major world power to be taken seriously.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Minister David Andrews has described Russia's campaign in Chechnya as a breach of international law. The Minister was speaking in Moscow today after meeting his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov, to discuss the situation in Chechnya. David Andrews is in Moscow in his capacity as Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Mr Andrews said that Russia is violating international law with its disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force against the civilian population.

Speaking after his meeting with David Andrews, Russia's Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, criticised the United States over the official visit by a senior Chechen official to Washington. He said such contacts risked encouraging what he called "terrorists and separatists". Mr Ivanov was referring to Russian media reports that a Chechen Minister had held talks with officials at the State Department in Washington last week.

Russia has re-opened its border with Chechnya to allow males between the ages of 10 and 60 to leave the breakaway republic. The decision changes a previous Moscow policy of barring Chechen men and boys from entering Russia.