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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 12, 2003
President Bush Presents Medal of Freedom to NATO Chief
Remarks by the President and Lord Robertson at Presentation of the Medal of Freedom
The Roosevelt Room
11:54 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I'm proud to welcome members of the
diplomatic corps and my administration, and, of course, Lord Robertson,
the Secretary General of NATO, to the White House. I've been honored
to host Lord Robertson here at the White House many times over the past
three years. I'm grateful that he's come once more before he leaves
his post.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is our nation's highest civil
award, given to individuals of exceptional merit and integrity. For
Lord Robertson, it is a fitting tribute to his long and distinguished
career of service to his nation, to our alliance, and to the world.
NATO is the most successful alliance in history, and Lord Robertson
has led NATO during some of the most challenging years of its history.
Not long ago, some questioned whether NATO could or should survive the
end of the Cold War. Then the alliance proved its enduring worth by
stopping ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and keeping the peace in Kosovo.
Some wonder whether NATO could adopt to the new threats of the 21st
century. Today, NATO forces are fighting terror in Afghanistan and
supporting a multinational division in Iraq.
Today, in Iraq, a member of NATO -- Italy -- lost some proud sons
in the service of freedom and peace. The United States sends our
deepest condolences to the families who died -- of the soldiers and
policemen who died. We appreciate their sacrifices. I appreciate the
steadfast leadership of Prime Minister Berlusconi, who refuses to yield
in the face of terror.
Lord Robertson is a patient leader, he's a determined leader, and
over the past four years his skills and talents have made many
achievements possible. Lord Robertson oversaw the largest expansion in
NATO's history, a major milestone in the fulfillment of our shared
vision of a Europe whole, free and at peace. He helped open a new
chapter in NATO's relationship with Russia through the creation of the
Russian-NATO Council. He ensured that NATO would honor its commitment
to come to the defense of fellow NATO member, Turkey. And he pursued
an ambitious agenda of transformation to make NATO forces lighter,
faster and better able to respond to complex and ever-changing
threats.
America owes a special debt to Lord Robertson. When our nation was
attacked on September the 11th, 2001, Lord Robertson led NATO to
invoke, for the first time in its history, Article V, which states that
an attack against one NATO ally is an attack against all. Americans
will never forget that vital support from our closest allies on one of
the darkest days of our history.
Our alliance continues to face and to meet threats to peace and
prosperity and freedom. Lord Robertson's leadership has been crucial
to meeting these challenges. His tenure at the helm of this
institution shows that power of collective defense when free nations
act to serve great causes, and free nations act to produce results.
Lord Robertson's efforts and vision leave behind a legacy of effective
multilateralism that will benefit this alliance for years to come.
When NATO was founded over half a century ago, President Harry
Truman said this: "By this treaty, we are not only seeking to
establish freedom, freedom from aggression and from the use of force in
the North Atlantic community, but we're also actively striving to
promote and preserve peace throughout the world." We honor Lord
Robertson here today for his dedication to the high ideals of the NATO
Alliance, the promise of peace throughout the world.
I'm going to ask the military aide now to read the honor. It is my
honor to welcome this good man, to present the Medal of Freedom to the
Right Honorable Lord Robertson of Port Ellen.
(The Medal of Freedom citation is read, and the Medal is
presented.) (Applause.)
LORD ROBERTSON: Mr. President, friends, I'm honored and grateful
to receive this Medal of Freedom. I know how rare and important it is,
so I fully appreciate and recognize the tribute that you pay to me
today. This is a great award from a great country. Mr. President, I
thank you most sincerely.
But as you recognize me in this ceremony, I want to recognize those
who allowed me to qualify for it, a team of people at NATO, from my
close staff in the private office, through the civilian international
staff, and, indeed, the ambassadors to the North Atlantic Council, to
the people in uniform, all of them who carry out the work of the
world's most successful defense alliance ever. They are the heroes and
the architects of today's award, and I pay them the deepest compliment
for making it possible.
And, too, I join with you, Mr. President, in paying a tribute to
the Italian Republic and to its brave policemen, carabinieri officers,
who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of international order.
All of us mourn with the Italian Republic and their families today.
Mr. President, the United States of America helped to found the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization over 50 years ago. And since then,
America has made this organization of permanent allies strong, and
shared the responsibilities for its enduring mission of defending the
values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. This Alliance stood
firm in the years of the Cold War when our liberty was threatened.
Just as it stood firm for international order in the Balkan horrors of
the 1980s and '90s, it stands firm today behind the forces of decency
and democracy in faraway Afghanistan.
And that is why, on the day after America was attacked on the 11th
of September, 2001, all 19 NATO countries stood firm, saying with one
voice that the attack was not just on the United States, it was an
attack on each and every other NATO country.
Mr. President, as you said, this is not the NATO of the past.
Together, we've created a transformed alliance, with new partners, new
missions and new capabilities, to stand firm against the new and deadly
threats that we face in the 21st century. Good people expect no less,
and they depend on our wise leadership to keep them as safe and secure
as they deserve to be.
Mr. Bush -- President Bush, as you are honoring me, I would like to
take a moment to express my gratitude to you. From the beginning, you
have been a strong friend to me and to the Atlantic Alliance, and I pay
you great credit for that.
Mr. President, I believe that I am the first son of Scotland to
receive this, America's highest civilian award. (Laughter.) I am very
proud. President Woodrow Wilson said this: "Every line of strength in
American history is a line colored with Scottish blood." (Laughter.)
And he knew what he was talking about. (Laughter.) So today this Scot
salutes America's great contribution to the free world, and commends
its continuing and lasting commitment to the Atlantic Alliance and all
that it stands for. I thank you and the American people for this great
honor you've done to me today.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)
END 12:05 P.M. EST
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