Military

DATE=2/19/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH NATO (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-299827

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush met at the White House Wednesday with NATO Secretary General George Robertson to talk about alliance issues and the possibility of war with Iraq. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports the meeting followed a decision by NATO to help member Turkey prepare to defend itself in the event of a U-S led war on neighboring Iraq.

TEXT: When reporters and cameras came in to witness the start of the meeting, the president went out of his way to commend NATO.

///BUSH ACT///

Today, this alliance is providing equipment to Turkey to help protect our Turkish ally from a potential attack from Iraq.

///END ACT///

Secretary General Robertson responded with a smile, and a reference to efforts by NATO members France, Germany and Belgium to block aid to Turkey, the only member of the alliance that shares a border with Iraq.

///ROBERTSON ACT///

It reminded me of Winston Churchill, whose bust is over there, who once famously said of the United States of America, "the United States can always be counted on to do the right thing after it has exhausted every other alternative." (LAUGHTER...QUICK FADE)

///END ACT///

The United States has not asked NATO to formally take part in any potential military action against Iraq. But the Bush administration has made clear it will ask individual members for help, and it pushed the alliance to aid Turkey. (signed)

NEB/PW/MAR