Clinton to work with Russia on European security

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during a news conference after the ''Afghanistan: The London Conference'' in London January 28, 2010.

PARIS (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday recommitted the United States to the defense of Europe and pledged to work with NATO allies and former foe Russia to boost security in the face of new threats.

"European security remains an anchor of U.S. foreign policy," Clinton told a conference during a visit to France, which last year rejoined the command structure of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Clinton's speech was aimed at reassuring Washington's European allies of continued U.S. commitment in the face of a sometimes strained relationship with Russia, which still sees the former Soviet bloc as part of its sphere of influence.

It was also aimed at buttressing key partnerships, which Washington is counting on to help with the war in Afghanistan and the campaign to force Iran to abandon its nuclear program.

Clinton said NATO was not a threat to Russia, and instead painted the two as potential partners facing new problems such as cybersecurity, global warming and nuclear proliferation.

"We are committed to exploring ways that NATO and Russia can improve their partnership by better reassuring each other about respective actions and intentions," Clinton said.

"The United States and Russia will not always agree ... But when we disagree, we will seek constructive ways to discuss and manage our differences," she said.

As an example, she cited differences over Russian claims of independence for the rebel Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia after a 2008 war between Russia and Georgia.

IN PRAISE OF MISSILE Defense

Clinton repeated assurances that a new U.S. plan for Europe-based missile defense was no threat to Moscow's interests.

President Barack Obama last year announced he was shelving plans of his predecessor, George W. Bush, to install a land-based missile shield to guard against threats from Iran - a move that pleased Moscow, which had opposed the shield idea.

The new U.S. strategy centres on sea-based interceptors and a second-phase of land-based systems which U.S. officials say will be better able to counter short- and medium-range missiles, which they now deem the chief threat from Iran and elsewhere.

Despite the change, Russia remains wary of American missile plans in Europe because it sees them as upsetting the nuclear balance -- fears that Clinton said were misplaced.

"Missile defense will make this continent a safer place. That safety could extend to Russia, if Russia decides to cooperate with us," she added.

She said the U.S. would continue to station troops in Europe to deter potential attacks and prepare for new threats.

But she said the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, the Cold War-era pact which set troop levels across the continent, was "in danger of crumbling" following Moscow's move two years ago to suspend implementation amid the Russia-Georgia conflict.

"The Russia-Georgia war in 2008 was not only a tragedy but has created a further obstacle to moving forward," she said.

(Editing by Crispian Balmer and Mark Trevelyan)