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| Updated: 17-Jan-2003 | NATO Speeches |
| At
the ACE 17 Jan. 2003 |
Remarks by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson Ladies and Gentlemen, We are here to say goodbye to General Joseph Ralston, to recognise his excellent service to our Alliance, and to welcome General James Jones as the new Supreme Allied Commander Europe. General Ralston, Joe, When you took up your post three years ago, we knew about your track record as an officer, your proven leadership skills, and political acumen. What we didn’t know – what we could not know – was how well you would apply those qualities to the many challenges before our Alliance. Today, of course, we do know – and we have all been impressed and are very grateful. The Balkans have inevitably been a major focus for you. Shortly after you took up your post, we first faced the prospect of a major confrontation between Milosevic and Montenegro. Our warnings there were effective and Milosevic backed down. Then we faced traumatic crises in Southern Serbia and the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia . As an Alliance, we had
to act decisively. We were able to do so by complementing diplomatic
initiatives with credible military force. You were personally
instrumental in the success of this effort. As a result, we
prevented another Balkans bloodbath. You deserve tremendous
credit for your masterly handling of both crises and in particular
in resolving the knife edge situation in the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonian ( The fact that we are now embarked on a rationalisation and reduction of NATO forces in the Balkans, under your firm guidance, is the clearest possible demonstration of your success in resolving problems on the ground. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, you have demonstrated real leadership in helping NATO and Allied militaries transform to meet the needs of the modern security environment. By playing critical roles in defining a ground-breaking military concept for the defence against terrorism, to focusing SHAPE on the threats from weapons of mass destruction or cyber attack, your tenure has helped retool the Alliance. The same applies to reform of the Alliance’s command structure. Thanks in no small part to your strong commitment, and your wise counsel, we have done more in six months than the previous reform process did in six years. As we have adapted our structures, you have also helped lead a major effort to transform our military capabilities. You have really stuck your neck out on this issue, and I want to thank you for this personal engagement. Without it, we would not have achieved such a worthwhile capabilities package at Prague. You have demonstrated similar strong leadership in preparing NATO for another round of enlargement and in helping to turn the concept of a Euro-Atlantic community into reality. Your determination to bring the Partners as close as possible to the Alliance, at SHAPE and in the field, has helped them make ever-stronger contributions to our common security. Finally, let me mention Russia, because you have worked particularly hard to bring this key country closer to the Alliance. By engaging personally, you sent a strong signal of our commitment to working with Russia. You can take great credit for the way in which we have been able to deepen and broaden our cooperation with Russia over the past year. The Alliance has transformed dramatically and continues to do so. When you took up your post three years ago, who could have thought that SHAPE would host the force generation conference for the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul and that the Alliance would assume a role in supporting military operations in Afghanistan? Yet that is what we have been preparing for, benefiting from your experience during the last few months when you were in charge. And now that the Alliance should confront threats to our security from wherever they may come, who knows what else the future holds? General Jones, I have greatly benefited from and enjoyed our close working relationship. I could not have done my job without your support, wisdom and commitment. Thank you. General Jones, Diane, Welcome. This new post will be a challenging one, as I am sure General Ralston has already warned you. But I am sure he has also told you how rewarding it will be. You inherit an Alliance that is playing a key role in building security for future generations, in the Balkans, across the Euro-Atlantic area and now in preparing to deal with new challenges to our security from wherever they may come. General Jones, on behalf of the entire NATO community, please accept our best wishes on your new command, and my assurance that you can count on our unflinching support for you, and for all of NATO’s forces. You bring an extraordinary wealth of experiences to this job and I look forward to working with you. Ladies and Gentlemen, Before I conclude my remarks, let me address just a few final words to General Ralston. I already mentioned the invaluable contribution he made to the Alliance’s engagement in the Balkans. It is in recognition of this contribution that I now present him with the NATO Balkans operations medal. Joe, Thank you once again for all you have given to our Alliance of free nations. It was indeed considerable. Our best wishes to you and Dede for a most enjoyable retirement. Joe, the time has come to take some well-deserved time off. The torch now passes to a new SACEUR, and NATO is fortunate, once again, to welcome an officer with a wealth of experience. 
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