    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [September 22, 2003]
    [Page 1189]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Transition of the Secretary General of the North
    Atlantic Treaty Organization
    September 22, 2003

        I welcome today's decision by NATO to appoint Jaap de Hoop
    Scheffer, the Dutch
    Foreign Minister, as its next Secretary General, beginning in January
    2004. Mr. de Hoop Scheffer is a leader deeply committed to freedom and
    to strong and effective transatlantic cooperation. I look forward to
    working with him.
        I also commend Lord Robertson for his many
    achievements during his 4 years as Secretary General. Under his
    leadership, NATO welcomes seven new countries. He helped launch a new
    relationship between NATO and Russia. He spearheaded an ambitious agenda
    of transformation to make NATO forces lighter, faster, and better able
    to meet the challenges of the 21st century. During his tenure, NATO
    mounted its first operation outside its traditional area, proving that
    our Alliance can address terrorist threats where they arise. He made
    NATO a vital partner in the war on terror and in the effort to rebuild
    the newly freed nations of Afghanistan and Iraq.
        The American people will always remember Lord Robertson's leadership when after the September 11th attacks
    NATO invoked its solemn collective defense clause for the first time in
    its history. On behalf of all Americans, I extend best wishes to Lord
    Robertson as he prepares to depart his post as Secretary General of NATO
    and America's gratitude for a job well done.