<!-- IMAGE -->
"European security
remains an anchor of U.S. foreign and security policy," said U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Speaking to the L'Ecole Militaire in Paris,
Secretary Clinton said that much of what the United States hopes to accomplish globally
depends on working together with Europe using a set of core principles as a
foundation. That includes assisting Afghanistan in its pursuit of stability and
security, as well as confronting the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The first principle guiding the trans-Atlantic partnership is dedication to the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. The U.S. objects to any
spheres of influence in Europe in which one country seeks to control another's
future. That's why the U.S. supports the right of all countries to enter into
alliances of their own choosing. "NATO," said Secretary Clinton,
"must and will remain open to any country that aspires to become a member
and can meet the requirements of membership."
At the same, time the U.S. and Europe do not seek to create divisions between
neighbors and partners. "Security in Europe," said Secretary Clinton,
"must be indivisible." The U.S. wants to work together with Russia
and our allies and partners to reaffirm the principles of the Helsinki Final
Act and the NATO-Russia Founding Act. The United States will continue to build
a more substantive and constructive relationship with Russia based on mutual
interests.
The United States remains firmly committed to upholding Article 5 of the NATO
treaty: that an attack on one is an attack on all. Part of that commitment
includes defense against ballistic missile attack, an issue which the U.S. is
discussing with both its NATO partners and Russia. The U.S., said Secretary
Clinton, "is serious about exploring ways to cooperate with Russia to
develop missile defenses that enhance the security of all of Europe, including
Russia."
In that vein, the U.S. and Russia are close to concluding a new START treaty to
reduce their respective arsenals. The United States believes that people
everywhere have the right to live free from fear of nuclear attack.
But the U.S.-European alliance is, in the end, about more than strengthening
mutual security. "It is," said Secretary Clinton, "about
defending and advancing our values in the world. . . . The U.S. is honored to
stand by [Europe's] side as we take the next steps towards fulfilling that
vision."
