    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 12, 2003]
    [Pages 1513-1514]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom To Secretary
    General Lord Robertson of the North Atlantic
    Treaty Organization
    November 12, 2003

        Good morning. I'm proud to welcome members of the diplomatic corps
    and my administration, and of course Lord Robertson, the Secretary
    General of NATO, to the White House. I've been honored to host Lord
    Robertson here at the White House many times over the past 3 years. I'm
    grateful that he's come once more before he leaves his post.
        The Presidential Medal of Freedom is our Nation's highest civil
    award, given to individuals of exceptional merit and integrity. For Lord
    Robertson, it is a fitting tribute to his long and distinguished career
    of service to his nation, to our alliance, and to the world.
        NATO is the most successful alliance in history, and Lord Robertson
    has led NATO during some of the most challenging years of its history.
    Not long ago, some questioned whether NATO could or should survive the
    end of the cold war. Then the Alliance proved its enduring worth by
    stopping ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and keeping the peace in Kosovo.
    Some wonder whether NATO could adopt to the new threats of the 21st
    century. Today, NATO forces are fighting terror in Afghanistan and
    supporting a multinational division in Iraq.
        Today in Iraq, a member of NATO, Italy, lost some proud sons in the
    service of freedom and peace. The United States sends our deepest
    condolences to the families who died--of the soldiers and policemen who
    died. We appreciate their sacrifices. I appreciate the steadfast
    leadership of Prime Minister Berlusconi,
    who refuses to yield in the face of terror.
        Lord Robertson is a patient leader. He's a determined leader, and
    over the past 4 years his skills and talents have made many achievements
    possible. Lord Robertson oversaw the largest expansion in NATO's
    history, a major milestone in the fulfillment of our shared vision of a
    Europe whole, free, and at peace. He helped open a new chapter in NATO's
    relationship with Russia through the creation of the Russian-NATO
    Council. He ensured that NATO would honor its commitment to come to the
    defense of fellow NATO member Turkey. And he pursued an ambitious agenda
    of transformation to make NATO forces lighter, faster, and better able
    to respond to complex and ever-changing threats.
        America owes a special debt to Lord Robertson. When our Nation was
    attacked on September the 11th, 2001, Lord Robertson led NATO to invoke,
    for the first time in its history, Article V, which states that an
    attack against one NATO Ally is an attack against all. Americans will
    never forget that vital support from our closest allies on one of the
    darkest days of our history.
        Our alliance continues to face and to meet the threats to peace and
    prosperity and freedom. Lord Robertson's leadership has been crucial to
    meeting these challenges. His tenure at the helm of this institution
    shows the power of collective defense when free nations act to serve
    great causes and free nations act to produce results. Lord Robertson's
    efforts and vision

    [[Page 1514]]

    leave behind a legacy of effective multilateralism that will benefit
    this Alliance for years to come.
        When NATO was founded over half a century ago, President Harry
    Truman said this: ``By this treaty, we are not only seeking to establish
    freedom, freedom from aggression and from the use of force in the North
    Atlantic community, but we're also actively striving to promote and
    preserve peace throughout the world.'' We honor Lord Robertson here
    today for his dedication to the high ideals of the NATO Alliance, the
    promise of peace throughout the world.
        I'm going to ask the military aide now to read the honor. It is my
    honor to welcome this good man, to present the Medal of Freedom to the
    Right Honorable Lord Robertson of Port Ellen.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:54 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Silvio
    Berlusconi of Italy. The transcript released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary also included the remarks of Secretary General Lord Robertson.