    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [August 4, 1999]
    [Page 1381]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Selection of the New NATO Secretary General
    August 4, 1999

        I am very pleased that our NATO Alliance has selected British
    Defense Secretary George Robertson to be
    NATO's next Secretary General.
        George Robertson is an extremely
    talented and dedicated public servant. He has made a tremendous
    contribution to the United Kingdom's effort to modernize its military
    forces. He displayed extraordinary leadership during the Kosovo conflict
    and has continued to lead in the effort to restore stability there. I
    look forward to working with him as he guides NATO into the new century.
        Secretary General Solana has done a superb
    job, steering NATO through conflict in the Balkans, ushering in three
    new members of the Alliance, reaching out to our security partners
    across Europe, and meeting other vital challenges. I look forward to
    continuing to work with him in his new role at the European Union.