21 Oct. 2002

NATO Secretary General visits the United States NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, met United States President, George W. Bush, and senior administration officials during a two-day visit to Washington D.C. on 21 and 22 October. Lord Robertson’s agenda included meetings with the Secretary of State, Colin Powell, the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, and the National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice. The Secretary General discussed key issues on the Alliance’s agenda ahead of the Prague Summit on 21 and 22 November, including the enlargement of the Alliance, plans to enhance its operational capabilities and its role in the fight against terrorism. Lord Robertson also called for increased sharing of military technology, in order to help bridge the transatlantic gap in military capabilities. In a speech to the Brookings Institution, the Secretary General highlighted the importance of the Prague Summit in transforming NATO to face new security threats and challenges. “Prague will set the seal on a profound transformation that will confirm the Alliance's value to the United States, and to all of its member countries, in the very different strategic landscape of the 21st century,” he said. Additional information: A Transformed NATO: Delivering Security In a Dangerous World - Speech by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson at the Brookings Institution,Washington, DC - 22 October 2002 Official website of the Brookings Institution