[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1333-E1334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATO ALLIED COMMAND TRANSFORMATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2003

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member wishes to note the 
establishment of Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia, on 
June 19, and to congratulate Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani, Jr., the 
commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, on his appointment as the first 
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation.
  The establishment of the first functional strategic command for the 
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an important step for the 
Alliance as it reforms its command structure to better carry out the 
missions needed to defend its member countries against today's threats. 
Allied Command Transformation replaces the old Allied Command Atlantic, 
which had been responsible for keeping open sea lanes between North 
America and Europe during the Cold War. Today, NATO faces a more 
pressing task: transforming allied forces from static formations 
designed for territorial defense to expeditionary forces able to deploy 
wherever needed to combat security threats. By locating Allied Command 
Transformation in Norfolk, home to U.S. Joint Forces Command, the 
transformation lessons being learned by the U.S. military can be shared 
with our NATO allies.
  The establishment of Allied Command Transformation is an important 
part of the new NATO command structure, which reduces the number of 
NATO headquarters from 20 to 11 and eliminates geographic 
responsibilities. This leaner, deployable command structure will allow 
the Alliance to command missions wherever the member countries decide 
that NATO is needed.
  This Member wishes to commend to his colleagues the attached speech 
by Lord Robertson, the Secretary General of NATO, at the ceremony to 
commission Allied Command Transformation on June 19, 2003.

   Remarks by the Secretary General of NATO, Lord Robertson, at the 
  Ceremony to the Commission of the New Allied Command Transformation

       Admirals, Generals, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a unique 
     ceremony, because we are not only welcoming a new commander--
     we are also changing fundamentally the very nature and 
     purpose of this strategic headquarters. Indeed, we are 
     creating a new organisation all together. That, in the 
     history of this great Alliance, makes this a very special 
     day.
       Our first task is to thank the man who has led Allied 
     Commander Atlantic since last October--Admiral Sir Ian 
     Forbes. Admiral Forbes, your predecessor, General Kernan, 
     once described Allied Command Atlantic as NATO's bridge to 
     the future. When you took command of this headquarters, you 
     vowed to continue that mission. You have done so and with 
     true distinction. Your staff here at Norfolk has nothing but 
     the highest praise for the work you have done here. That is 
     an most important testimonial.
       Let me add my own thanks, and congratulations, for the 
     important work you have done here since January 2002, first 
     as Deputy and then as Acting Supreme Allied Commander 
     Atlantic. You have provided sound leadership in Norfolk 
     through a critical period of concluding SACLANT's successful 
     mission and defining the role--and I might add, daring role--
     this new command will play in the Alliance. We will continue 
     to value your leadership as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, 
     Transformation.
       Admiral Giambastiani--or Admiral ``G'', as you are already 
     known here--this is your first day on the job. But you have 
     already made history, as the first commander of the new 
     Allied Command Transformation. This is an honour that is well 
     deserved. I would like to congratulate you, as well, on this 
     appointment.
       In the coming years, Admiral, you will have a key role to 
     play in shaping NATO's transformation. It is a transformation 
     that has already begun, and the establishment of this 
     Command--ACT--is proof positive.
       ACT will shape the future of combined and joint operations. 
     It will identify new concepts, and bring them to maturity. It 
     will then turn these transformational concepts into reality; 
     a reality shared by the entire NATO Alliance. And it will do 
     so in close cooperation with the U.S. Joint Forces Command 
     co-located here, to ensure that NATO's transformation stays 
     in lock step with the changes taking place in the United 
     States.
       Indeed, the creation of a new permanent command here in 
     Norfolk--one dedicated solely to transformation--demonstrates 
     the investment NATO is making in preparing itself for 21st 
     century operations.
       This Command underscores NATO nations' commitment to a 
     continuous, permanent process of transforming and modernising 
     our armed forces.
       ACT is, in a very real sense, both the symbol of the new 
     NATO, and the architect that will shape its future. It will 
     play an invaluable role in ensuring that the Atlantic 
     Alliance can continue to defend the security and interests of 
     its members against threats and challenges which we cannot 
     even imagine today.
       ACT is a symbol of this Alliance's confidant embrace of the 
     future and its challenges.
       Admiral Giambastiani, as I said last week to NATO Defence 
     Ministers in Brussels, your new title, Supreme Allied 
     Commander Transformation, means that you more than

[[Page E1334]]

     anyone else will personify the critical importance this 
     Alliance places on transforming its capabilities for the 21st 
     century. An awesome responsibility. But welcome nevertheless 
     to the NATO family.

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