Editing Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (section)

=== NATO Secretary General (2004–2009) ===
He became the 11th [[Secretary General of NATO]] on 5 January 2004, succeeding [[George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen|Lord Robertson]], who held the post from 1999 until 2003. The announcement was made on 22 September 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2004/01-january/e0105a.htm|title=New Secretary General takes up office|publisher=NATO|date=7 January 2004}}</ref> As Secretary General, De Hoop Scheffer urged NATO members to contribute more to NATO operations such as the [[International Security Assistance Force]] in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3820979.stm|title=Nato boss pleads for Afghan focus|publisher=BBC|date=19 June 2004}}</ref> He "informed a NATO conference that 'NATO troops have to guard pipelines that transport oil and gas that is directed for the West,' and more generally to protect sea routes used by tankers and other 'crucial infrastructure' of the energy system".<ref>[[Noam Chomsky|Chomsky, Noam]] (2011-04-21) [http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/04/21/global_empire_united_states_iraq_noam_chomsky Is the world too big to fail?], ''[[Salon.com]]''</ref>

On 21 June 2007, De Hoop Scheffer attended an economic conference in [[Montreal]] where he encouraged Canada to continue its military mission in [[Afghanistan]] past its 2009 withdrawal date. He said, "I think more time is necessary to create those conditions for reconstruction and development to go on."<ref name=cbcdhs>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/canada-should-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2009-nato-chief-says-1.634640?ref=rss | work=CBC News | title=Canada should stay in Afghanistan past 2009, NATO chief says | date=21 June 2007}}</ref> His visit coincided with the death of three more Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. "I know how dramatic it is if Canadian soldiers pay the highest price, but I still say, you are there for a good cause."<ref name=acbc>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/canada-should-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2009-nato-chief-says-1.634640?ref=rss | work=CBC News | title=Canada should stay in Afghanistan past 2009, NATO chief says | date=21 June 2007}}</ref> De Hoop Scheffer's comments were made as the [[Harper government]] was under pressure by opposition politicians to define the length of Canada's commitment to the mission in Afghanistan.

It has been alleged by [[Iran]] that Jaap de Hoop Scheffer met [[Jundallah (Iran)|Jundallah]] leader [[Abdolmalek Rigi]] while he was visiting [[Afghanistan]] in 2008 amid Iranian accusations that the [[CIA]] was backing the terrorist group. This accusation was later denied by NATO.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/7300767/Iran-arrests-most-wanted-man-after-police-board-civilian-flight.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Iran arrests most wanted man after police board civilian flight | first1=Richard | last1=Spencer | first2=Andrew | last2=Osborn | first3=Bruno | last3=Waterfield | date=23 February 2010}}</ref>

On 21 July 2009 De Hoop Scheffer suffered a [[heart attack]]. He underwent [[angioplasty]] after which he was reported to be in stable condition.<ref name=adnl>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ad.nl/binnenland/3384865/De_Hoop_Scheffer_gedotterd_na_hartaanval.html|title=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nu.nl/algemeen/2046357/de-hoop-scheffer-gaat-goed-vooruit.html|title = De Hoop Scheffer gaat goed vooruit|date = 22 July 2009}}</ref>

His successor, [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]], took office on 1 August 2009.