"AFTER TAKING A DOMESTIC PART IN THE POLITICAL LIFE OF MY COUNTRY DURING THE FIRST YEARS OF HER DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, I HAPPENED TO REPRESENT ITALY AS AMBASSADOR IN IMPORTANT CAPITAL CITIES SUCH AS MOSCOW, LONDON, WASHINGTON AND PARIS. INDEED I CONSIDER IT A PRIVILEDGE TO HAVE SEEN AT SUCH CLOSE QUARTERS THE FORMATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOREIGN POLICIES OF THOSE COUNTRIES, UPON WHICH LARGELY DEPENDS THE PEACE AND FUTURE OF THE WORLD.



"FROM MY EXPERIENCE AS AMBASSADOR, I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE MEETS FULLY THE NEEDS OF THE DIFFICULT WORK ENGAGED IN TODAY. NOT ONLY WHERE THERE ARE CONFLICTS AND FEAR OF CONFLICT, BUT ALSO WORK FOR PEACE AND FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND A YEARNING FOR MORE PEACE.



"I FEEL GREATLY HONOURED THAT THE FIFTEEN COUNTRIES OF N.A.T.O. HAVE DECIDED TO APPOINT ME SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ORGANISATION. MY NEW TASK BRINGS WITH IT HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES. AND I ASSURE YOU THAT THE RESPONSIBILITIES CAN ONLY BE BORNE WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE. A WELL AS THE SUPPORT OF PUBLIC OPINION IN ALL THE MEMBER COUNTRIES.



"BOTH ARE PARTICULARLY CHOSEN BECAUSE THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE IS MADE UP OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS, AND I FEEL THEREFORE THAT I NEED THE SUPPORT OF YOU ALL WHO ARE LISTENING TO ME. TO YOU I SAY THAT OUR ALLIANCE IS LIVE AND VITAL. N.A.T.O. DOESN'T THREATEN ANYBODY, BUT IT STANDS IN THE WORLD TO FIGHT OFF ANY ATTACK.



"IT IS THE GREATEST FRIEND OF ALL. IT IS A COMMON FAITH AND A COMMON DETERMINATION OF ALL FREE MEN TO REMAIN FREE. YOU CAN BE SURE I WILL WORK UNFAILINGLY IN THIS DIRECTION AND I COME ON THE UNDERSTANDING AND MORAL SUPPORT OF YOU ALL."




Initials DR/V/JH/PC


EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS MATERIAL IS EMBARGOED UNTIL MIDNIGHT 31ST JULY.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: SIGNOR MANILO BROSIO, 67 YEAR-OLD FORMER ITALIAN AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE, HAS BEEN CHOSEN BY THE N.A.T.O. COUNCIL TO SUCCEED DR. DIRK STIKKER AS SECRETARY-GENERAL. THE APPOINTMENT WAS CONFIRMED AT THE SPRING MEETING OF THE N.A.T.O. MINISTERIAL MEETING IN MAY. SIGNOR BROSIO TAKES OVER HIS DUTIES ON SATURDAY.

BEFORE HE TOOK UP HIS NEW ROLE, SIGNOR BROSIO SPOKE OF HIS NEW RESPONSIBILITIES. HE SAID: