[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 39 (Monday, September 29, 2003)]
[Page 1256]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.