Clinton pledges 'unwavering' US commitment to NATO allies

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday pledged unwavering US commitment to fellow NATO members' security before setting out principles for the future of the alliance's nuclear deterrence.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen and host Estonia then opened talks which could hear calls from Germany and others for the withdrawal of some 200 US tactical nuclear weapons from Europe and Turkey.

Although US President Barack Obama's administration has set a course for eliminating nuclear weapons worldwide, the appeals could split the 28-member alliance as some members may demand similar withdrawals by Russia.

In a press conference with Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet before the talks, Clinton committed to the transatlantic alliance's security without alluding to US nuclear policy.

"Let me be clear: our (security) commitment to Estonia and our other allies is a bedrock principle of the United States and we will never waver from it," said Clinton, seated next to Paet.

Aides said she was to outline US principles on nuclear deterrence at a dinner Thursday, but they gave no details.

Earlier, Rasmussen appeared to stand behind Washington.

"If we look at today's world, then there is no alternative to nuclear arms in NATO's deterrent capability," he told Estonian television.

"My personal opinion is that the stationing of US nuclear weapons in Europe is part of deterrence to be taken seriously," he said.

Germany is intent on calling for the United States to remove its tactical nuclear weapons, something Washington is reluctant to do unless Russia cuts its arsenal.

"It's time to make progress on disarmament. That includes on nuclear weapons," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in Tallinn, Estonia's capital.

"We must take advantage of this window of opportunity for disarmament," he added.

Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway are also keen for the arms to go.

There is no public data but there are thought to be some 240 US nuclear weapons based in NATO nations Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.

A senior US official underlined the need to stand unified over the issue.

"Our principle, and most important guidepost for moving into this discussion is that we don't want to divide the alliance on this issue," he said.

The debate has deep resonance for Estonia, which joined NATO in 2004 and like fellow ex-communist alliance members puts some stock in a nuclear buffer amid concerns about its resurgent Cold War-era master Russia.

"Nuclear deterrence based in Europe must remain, as it preserves close trans-Atlantic ties and allows for greater flexibility in deterrence," Paet said as the meeting opened.

The Tallinn gathering will also focus on plans to reform NATO to deal with modern security threats, a process set to culminate at a summit in Lisbon in November.

Friday's session includes discussion about cooperation with Russia -- although no Russian officials will attend -- and talks among NATO nations and partners fighting the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and their backers in Afghanistan.

Clinton is scheduled to have talks with Zalmai Rassoul, the new Afghan foreign minister.

Rasmussen urged the allies to help find 450 new trainers to help build up the Afghan army and police to take responsibility for national security on their own.

NATO leads a force of some 90,000 troops drawn from more than 40 nations and whose aim is to restore stability and democracy to Afghanistan in the face of a virulent insurgency.

A senior US official told reporters on the plane from Washington to Tallinn that Clinton also wanted to discuss with allies a long-term NATO commitment to a civilian presence in Afghanistan.

US officials said Washington's plans for a shield against missiles from so-called "rogue states" such as Iran would also be discussed, despite lingering concerns in Moscow that the idea poses a threat to Russia.