NATO says Russia can join exercise in Georgia

NATO said Russia is welcome to join its military exercises next month in Georgia. NATO's acting spokesman Robert Pszczel said the exercises involving 19 countries from May 6 to June 1 represent no

threat to Russia.

NATO and Russia have made efforts recently to overcome acrimony left over from the August war between Russia and Georgia. But Moscow opposes NATO's military cooperation with Georgia. Russia's envoy to the alliance Dmitry Rogozin said the exercises would interfere with Georgia's internal affairs amid opposition protests demanding President Mikhail Saakashvili resign. (AP)