Moscow's membership in global clubs at stake

By Susan Cornwell

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia's integration into international institutions is at risk because of Moscow's military operations in Georgia, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Tuesday.

"The Russians have said that they do want to be a part of that prosperous and forward-looking international community, and frankly they are doing great damage to their ability to do that," Rice said in an ABC News interview.

"There are any number of opportunities for Russia to reverse course and to demonstrate that it is trying to behave according to 21st century principles," she said. "But, I can assure you that Russia's international reputation and what role Russia can play in the international community is very much at stake here."

Rice did not specify what consequences Russia may face.

A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity said: "Russia has a lot to lose" if it ignores international pressure to stop its attacks on Georgia, withdraw its forces from the former Soviet republic and enter into serious negotiations on the future of Georgia's breakaway areas.

The United States on Tuesday cancelled a naval exercise with Russia to indicate its disapproval of Moscow's attacks on its neighbour, a senior U.S. defense official. It was Washington's first concrete actions of protest.

The annual exercise also involves vessels from Britain and France and was due to begin within the next week in the Pacific Ocean near the Russian city, Vladivostok.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered a halt to military operations in Georgia earlier Tuesday in support of an international peace plan promoted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.