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THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary
                            (Columbus, Ohio)

For Immediate Release October 20, 1995

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

Resignation of NATO Secretary General Willy Claes

Willy Claes resigned today as Secretary General of NATO. He provided great leadership to the Alliance during one of the most important periods in its history. He was a strong and effective advocate for the robust NATO role in Bosnia which helped transform the situation there and pave the way for serious peace negotiations. He also spearheaded Alliance efforts to reach out to the nations of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union through the Partnership for Peace and helped set NATO firmly on its course toward eventual enlargement.

Secretary General Claes was a good friend of the United States and a strong supporter of the transatlantic relationship. His presence at the NATO helm will be missed.

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