PRESS RELEASE (95)16         Brussels, 21 February 1995

             STATEMENT BY THE NATO SPOKESMAN

The Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Willy Claes, has
today, 21st February, informed the 16 Permanent
Representatives on the North Atlantic Council
of his role in the handling of the Agusta dossier when he
was Minister for Economic Affairs.

The Permanent Representatives unanimously reaffirmed
their confidence in the Secretary General.

In a letter to the judicial authorities concerned, Mr.
Claes has also restated his absolute and unconditional
readiness to co-operate and help in every way with the
enquiry in progress.

In the same letter, Mr. Claes confirmed that he has never
been involved directly or indirectly in an operation
seeking to obtain commissions or payments as a condition
or as a reward for the award of the contract.
                                                          
          
COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE (95)16    Bruxelles, 21 fevrier 1995

            DECLARATION DU PORTE-PAROLE DE L'OTAN

Le Secretaire general de l'OTAN, Monsieur Willy Claes, a
informe aujourd'hui, ce 21 fevrier, les 16 Representants
Permanents aupres de l'OTAN de son role dans le
traitement du dossier Agusta lorsqu'il etait Ministre des
Affaires economiques.

Les Representants Permanents ont reitere unanimement leur
confiance au Secretaire general.

Monsieur Claes a, de meme, dans une lettre adressee aux
autorites judiciaires competentes, confirme sa
disponibilite totale et inconditionnelle
aux efforts visant a faire la lumiere sur ce dossier.

Dans cette meme lettre, Monsieur Claes confirme qu'il n'a
jamais ete mele ni directement, ni indirectement, a une
operation visant au paiement de commissions qui
constitueraient la condition d'attribution ou de
retribution de ce marche.