Clinton calls for international conference on Afghanistan

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Thursday for a high-level conference to discuss international strategy on Afghanistan that could include representatives from Pakistan and Iran.

Speaking at a one-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, Clinton said that delegates from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and NATO allies including Canadaand other countrieswith troops in Afghanistan should attend.

"We hope that this meeting could provide an opportunity to reach a common set of principles," she said, according to a prepared text released by her staff.

Clintonsuggested the meeting could be held by March 31, andled by Kai Eide, the UN's Norwegian special representative for Afghanistan. She did not specify where it could be held.

"I would expect that Iran would be invited,"Robert Wood,a State Department spokesman travelling with Clinton, said Thursday. That adds a new dimension to international diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan, which until now have had limited contributions from Iran.

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told a news conference that the proposed conference could be a "big tent meeting" that would include a wide range of parties with an interest in stabilizing Afghanistan and preventing it from again serving as a haven for al-Qaeda.

NATO to restore normal ties with Russia

Also at the summit, NATO foreign ministers also agreed toresume normal relations with Russia, seven months after severing ties over its invasion of Georgia.

After a prolonged debate, the ministers agreed to revive what NATO calls the NATO-Russia Council, a forum for a wide range of issues. Lithuania argued unsuccessfully to put off the decision.

"Russia is an important player, a global player, and that means that not talking to them is not an option," de Hoop Scheffer said Thursday.

Clinton spoke earlier of the need to start a new chapter in relations with Russia.

But, she said NATO must leave the door open to membership for former Soviet states Ukraine and Georgia a move strongly opposed by Moscow.

While NATO has said itfavours the inclusion of the two former Soviet states, thealliance has indicated it may take a long time for membership to be formally extended.

Germany and France have been particularly reluctant to voice enthusiasm on giving the two countries membership, wary in part of angry reactions from Russia.

Afghan issue takes prominence

Clinton, speaking Thursday, said NATO must find ways to manage its differences with Russia.

Her comments are yet another sign that the Obama administration is seeking a thaw in relations with Moscow, which cooled considerably during the Bush years.

"It's time to explore a fresh start. We can and must find ways to work constructively with Russia where we share areas of common interest, including helping the people of Afghanistan," Clinton said.

Obama has pledged to make Afghanistan a priority in his foreign policy, and has approved the deployment of 17,000 more U.S. troops to complement the 30,000 already stationed there.

Clinton is slated to meet with Russian Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrov on Friday.

Spectre of Georgia conflict still looms

"In some areas, I think we're going to find there is a great potential for co-operation. In others, we're going to have differences and we will stand our ground and they will stand theirs and we'll hope to find some accommodation, if possible," she said.

"But there are some actions Russia has taken recently, as you know, over the last several years that are very troubling," she added, referring at least in part to the Georgia war.

The conflictbroke out on Aug. 7 after Georgia's attempt to retake the breakaway province of South Ossetia. Russia then dispatched its own troops to the province, routing Georgian forces and then proceeding deep into Georgian territory.

Russia's prolonged offensive in Georgia and its stay in the Abkhazia, another breakaway region, drew strong criticism from the international community, particularly from the United States and NATO.

Clinton said Thursday that NATO should never recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia.