PRESS RELEASE (94)67                       13 August 1994

                  STATEMENT BY THE SPOKESMAN

It is with the deepest regret that I have to announce that
the Secretary General of NATO, Dr. Manfred Woerner, died
today, 13 August 1994, at 13:00 hours at the age of 59 at
his home in Brussels after a long illness.

Dr. Manfred Woerner took up his duties as Secretary General
of NATO on 1st July 1988, after having been German Defence
Minister for 6 years. Under his skilful and strong
leadership he has led the transformation of the Alliance
from an era of confrontation during the Cold War to the
present period of cooperation and partnership. He brought
the message of friendship to the countries of Central and
Eastern Europe. During his time, as Secretary General he
witnessed historic changes like the fall of the Berlin Wall
and the reunification of Germany. He was the driving force
behind NATO's transformation, to face its new challenges
and to take on new missions. The opening up of the Alliance
towards the East, the setting up of the North Atlantic
Cooperation Council, the launching of the Partnership for
Peace programme, as well as the close cooperation between
NATO and the United Nations are examples of this new
policy.

Dr. Woerner was an ardent advocate of a strong NATO-
transatlantic link and a strengthened European pillar
within NATO.

Dr. Woerner was awarded the highest decorations by Germany
and other countries in recognition of his work as leader
of the North Atlantic Alliance.