Russia's Medvedev raps NATO war games in Georgia

MOSCOW-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that planned NATO military exercises next month in Georgia were dangerous and would hinder efforts to rebuild relations with the Western alliance."I think this is the wrong decision, a dangerous decision," Medvedev said."Such decisions are disappointing and do not facilitate the resumption of full scale contacts between the Russian Federation and NATO," he said.Ex-Soviet Georgia has become a focus of tension between the West and Russia, which sees it as part of its sphere of influence. NATO's offer of eventual membership for Georgia has angered Moscow, which sent troops into Georgia last August.NATO says the exercises, from May 6 to June 1, will involve 1,300 troops from 19 countries."Decisions of this kind are aimed at muscle flexing," Medvedev said. "This decision appears to be short-sighted and unpartner-like.""We will in the most thorough manner follow what happens there and take this or other decisions if need be," Medvedev said.Moscow says NATO's eastward expansion is a threat to its security, and that the military support given by NATO members to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili encouraged him to start last year's war.
(Writing by Guy Faulconbridge)

http://www.reuters.com/article/gc07/idUSTRE53G23Z20090417

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