LOC21:24
18:24 GMT
(with photos)
BRUSSELS, March 5 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said here
Thursday that she proposed at the meeting of NATO foreign ministers to hold a
high-level regional conference on Afghanistan with the participation of all
stakeholders.
Hillary told a news conference here this evening that she presented the
idea of calling a "big tent" meeting on Afghanistan with the participation of
the US, NATO members, donor countries, state providing troops to ISAF,
neighbouring countries and international organizations but no decision has
been taken as yet.
"If we go forward with such a meeting, Iran will be invited as a neighbour
of Afghanistan," said Hillary in her first appearance at a NATO meeting as
Secretary of State.
She said that in the border regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan "we face a
common threat and a common challeng" adding that the US is working to complete
a strategic review on the way forward in Afghanistan.
Clinton also welcomed the decision of the Czech Republic and Poland to
proceed with the installation of the missile shields on their territories
saying that Europe faced threats from regimes like in Iran and from terrorist
groups.
Referring to the status of Iran's nuclear programme, she said there is no
credibility in their intention.
"Our task is to persuade them, to deter them, to prevent them from
acquiring nuclear weapons which given the range of missiles they have
currently access to, threatens Europe and Arab nations in the Gulf, not the US,
" she noted.
Clinton supported the decision of NATO foreign ministers to resume contacts
with Russia saying there are benefits for both sides like cooperating in
nuclear non-proliferation, fight against terrorism and piracy.
She underlined the US commitment to strengthen transatlantic relations and
cooperation. (END)
nk.rk
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