    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [February 29, 2008]
    [Pages 299-300]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Secretary General Jakob Gijsbert
    ``Jaap'' de Hoop Scheffer of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
    February 29, 2008

        President Bush. It's my honor to welcome the Secretary General of
    NATO back to the Oval Office. Last time I was with the Secretary
    General, I was trying to keep up with him on my mountain bike. He is a
    dear friend and a strong leader.
        I appreciate, Jaap, your helping to transform NATO so it deals with
    the threats of the 21st century. You've done your job with great dignity
    and clarity of thought. And I'm looking forward to coming to Bucharest
    to support your efforts to make sure NATO is a relevant organization
    aimed at bringing security and peace to the world.
        We've had a lot of things to discuss. A couple of key points: one,
    Afghanistan, the United States is committed to the NATO mission in
    Afghanistan. We're committed to a comprehensive strategy that helps
    folks in Afghanistan realize security, at the same time, economic
    prosperity and political progress.
        Secondly, our hope is that nations that have applied to join NATO
    continue to meet their MAP obligations. And I'm looking forward to
    getting an assessment of the progress that these three nations have
    made, from you, before we take the vote on enlargement.
        I appreciate very much NATO's role in helping to provide some sense
    of stability in the Balkans. Thank you for doing a training mission in
    Iraq. Overall, thanks for being a force for good. And I'm proud to
    welcome you back here.
        Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank
    you. Thank you, George.
        Four working weeks until the Bucharest summit of NATO, I can echo
    the President's words. First of all, NATO's operations and missions, we
    have a long-term commitment vis-a-vis Afghanistan. I thank the President
    for the United States contribution in the NATO framework, which is an
    essential one. All 26 NATO allies are there, and we are there for the
    long haul. We are there to support President Karzai

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    and the Afghan people. But we're also there because we're fighting
    terrorism, and we cannot afford to lose. We will not lose. We are not
    losing; we are prevailing.
        May I mention Kosovo, which will be discussed. The secondary
    important NATO presence, 60,000 strong, to protect all Kosovars--
    majority, minority, Albanian, or Serb--so that also Kosovo will have a
    future.
        NATO enlargement, the President mentioned. The nations concerned
    should go on with their reforms. No tickets are punched yet, but NATO
    enlargement will be on the agenda of the Bucharest summit, and certainly
    also what I call NATO finding the answers to modern threats and
    challenges, be it energy security and NATO's role as a bringer of added
    value. Cyber defense: We saw a huge cyber attack on Estonia not that
    long ago. Missile defense is certainly an issue.
        So we have a real full calendar in Bucharest, and that is basically
    the calendar the President and I discussed. And I'm always very much
    enjoying the hospitality not only in the Oval but at the Crawford ranch
    as well.
        Thank you very much.
        President Bush. Thank you.
        Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer. Thanks.
        President Bush. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:48 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer referred to President Hamid
    Karzai of Afghanistan.