CIAO DATE: 01/04

This Ain’t Your Daddy’s NATO

Abstract

I am delighted to give my final speech in Washington as Secretary General at a venue named after the man who gave enlightened self-interest a good name.

George Marshall, and the plan for which he is famous, rebuilt Europe and created the foundations on which the transatlantic partnership has prospered. But he did not do so out of pure philanthropy. American taxpayers bankrolled Europe's reconstruction because Marshall and his colleagues recognised that it was in the interests of the United States for Europe to be strong and a close friend.

I applaud the sentiments which underpinned this decision. As a practical politician, I have no doubt that America's commitment to a free and prosperous Europe was and is much stronger for being based firmly on self-interest as well as idealism.

Full Text (PDF format, 13 pgs, 46.3kbs)