NATO HQ 16 Dec. 2004

End of year message by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer Multimedia Audio file .MP3/ 722Kb Video (wmv/1246kb) End of year message by General Kujat, Chairman of the Military Committee (wmv/666kb) With the Holiday Season now approaching it's time to look back over the past year. It has been a good year for NATO I think. We brought seven new democracies into the Alliance. We brought more security to Afghanistan and helped their democracy to grow. We successfully concluded the SFOR Operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and helped to keep the peace in Kosovo. We defended against terrorism in the Mediterranean and we began helping Iraq and the Iraqi people to train and equip their Forces. And, last but not least, we began building stronger relations with countries to the south including in the Mediterranean region and the Gulf. So I think in all, in 2004, NATO did its job to help bring greater peace, greater security to the Euro-Atlantic community and beyond and we will do more in 2005. Usually it is presidents, prime ministers and secretaries general who make the evening news but the people doing the most difficult dangerous part of NATO's work are the men and women in the field--military and civilian. So let me, on behalf on the Alliance and personally, thank them for their contribution. And I would also like to thank their families and loved ones who support them while they are in the field and who are carrying the burden while they are gone. You should know that your efforts and your sacrifices are greatly appreciated and you're also making a difference and for all that, NATO thanks you. And to all of you watching this message let me wish you, on behalf of NATO, a happy holiday period and a safe and secure 2005.