And most countries are now reducing the number of conscripts and increasing the professionals that are available because they're available on short notice.
Lord Robertson

You've got to be able to act when it's necessary to act. And you've got to be able to act where the threat is.
Lord Robertson

And I was asked if I would come and help with the recovery of this great British company, Cable and Wireless, and I'm delighted to become part of the new and very talented management that have been brought in to that company as well.
Lord Robertson

Well, if the NATO countries don't make more of their troops usable and don't get the equipment to get them fast where the action is, then the organisation will suffer and will increasingly become irrelevant.
Lord Robertson

Globalisation will make our societies more creative and prosperous, but also more vulnerable.
Lord Robertson

The rapid dissemination of technology and information offers entirely new ways of production, but it can also bring the spectre of more states developing weapons of mass destruction.
Lord Robertson

Within NATO, our Defence Capabilities Initiative has identified the essential capabilities all Allies must have for modern operations, and Allies are working to meet those requirements.
Lord Robertson

I believe that the organisers of this conference have chosen a very timely subject for our discussion - because the 21st century will confront us with an entirely new set of challenges.
Lord Robertson