Press Release 146 3 Nov.

Appointment of General Joseph W. Ralston, U.S. Air Force, to succeed General Wesley K. Clark as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe NATO today appointed General Joseph W. Ralston, United States Air Force, to succeed General Wesley K. Clark as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. The appointment will become effective in May 2000. In a letter from the President of the United States of America to the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, who is chairman of the Defence Planning Committee, the President asked the member governments to agree to release General Clark from his assignment as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. The committee agreed with great regret to release General Clark. They expressed to General Clark, in the name of NATO governments, lasting gratitude for his distinguished service. In this regard, the President of the United States of America was asked to nominate an officer of the United States for appointment as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, to succeed General Clark. In response to this request, the President of the United States wrote to the Secretary General to nominate General Joseph W. Ralston for consideration as successor to General Clark with the same powers and functions. In addition to the NATO position, General Ralston will be assigned as Commander in Chief, United States European Command.

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