[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 31 (Monday, August 9, 1999)]
[Page 1556]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Selection of the New Secretary General of the North 
Atlantic Treaty Organization

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.