In Focus
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Attorney General Holder at the African Union Summit
 July 25, 2010. At the African Union Summit
in Kampala, Uganda, Attorney General Holder said: “As your historic efforts to promote peace, development, justice, and opportunity continue, the United States will act in partnership and in common cause to help the African Union achieve its goals and fulfill its mission.
There are four specific areas where, I believe, America’s support must continue and where I hope our partnership can be strengthened:
in combating global terrorism and international crime; in promoting good governance and the rule of law; in creating the conditions and capacity for economic development; and, finally, in ensuring that Africa’s women and girls are no longer disproportionately affected by violence or denied basic rights and equal opportunities to learn, to dream, and to thrive.
In each of these areas, the United States intends to serve, not as a patron but as a partner – as a collaborator, not a monitor.” full text | Embassy Kampala | AFRICA: Partnering for peace and prosperity
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News from the Embassy |
Ambassador Murphy welcomes members of July 20, 1944 foundation to U.S. Embassy Berlin
 July 20, 2010. Relatives and descendants of the participants in the 1944 uprising against Hitler met in the U.S. Embassy Berlin for a get-together after the official July 20th 1944 commemorative events. In his welcoming remarks U.S. Ambassador Philip Murphy underlined the importance of the commitment to shared values of freedom and democracy: “In dealing with the challenges of today, we can learn, we can be inspired by history. Civil courage is something that people, young and old, need to be passionate about.” Looking at a whole generation’s attitudes and ideas having been shaped by World War II, Ambassador Murphy invited the members of this group to share their ideas on what will shape the mindset of the coming generation. Photo gallery
United Nations Security Council sanctions on Iran
 July 6, 2010. Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, spoke to reporters in Berlin on Tuesday about the new round of sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council on Iran. Highlighting that a unified, global approach is the best way to ensure these sanctions are effective, Under Secretary Levey said that it is important for Europe to develop a strong, common position towards Iran. He stressed that Germany’s role as a leader in Europe means it has a key role to play in this effort. Asked about Iran’s response to the sanctions, he expressed confidence that the country is feeling the effects of increased international pressure, and pledged that the U.S. and countries around the world will work tirelessly to ensure Iran cannot circumvent the sanctions through deceit or coercion. Under Secretary Levey emphasized that the best way of dealing with Iran will be for all nations, including those that did not vote in favor of the sanctions, to work together and present a united front in the face of Iran’s continued defiance of the international community.
Background: Additional U.S. Sanctions Against Iran
World Cup wager: Germany vs. Spain
 July 6, 2010. Philip D. Murphy to Germany, has set a friendly wager with his counterpart, Alan D. Solomont, U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, regarding tonight’s World Cup game between Germany and Spain. Ambassador Murphy is betting a case of German Riesling against a case of Spanish red wine.
U.S. celebrate its 234th birthday
July 5, 2010. The U.S. Embassy held its traditional Independence Day reception at the American Academy in Berlin. The Ambassador of the United States of America, Philip D. Murphy and Tammy S. Murphy welcomed invited guests, who enjoyed an evening with live music by the popular music ensemble of the United States Air Forces in Europe band “Touch ‘n Go,” American food, and fireworks over the Wannsee. Earlier that day, Ambassador Murphy and his wife Tammy took the opportunity to receive invited guests to celebrate the American Independence Day at the new U.S. Embassy building on Pariser Platz, including the speaker of the German Bundestag, Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert, the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Rainer Brüderle, the Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Development, Peter Ramsauer and former Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher. In his 4th of July message Ambassador Murphy said: “At no point in the past has the concept of global partnership and citizenship been stronger than today. Within the past century, Germany has been tested by dictatorship, war, repression, and division. Today, the United States has no stronger partner than Germany in the cause of human rights and dignity. There is no better cause, no better reason to celebrate.”
July 4th has been recognized as Independence Day in the United States ever since the country’s Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Americans celebrate with parades, fireworks, concerts and other festive activities.
Ambassador Murphy invited to German Parliament
 June 21, 2010. Ambassador Philip D. Murphy was invited to the German Bundestag by the German-American Association of Parliamentary Staffers to speak alongside the newly appointed Coordinator of German-American relations, Hans-Ulrich Klose about transatlantic relations. The discussion covered several important international topics, including the military conflict in Afghanistan, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and possible alternatives to fossil fuels and nuclear energy, as well as the situation in Iran and Turkey's role within the international community. Both, Ambassador Murphy and Hans-Ulrich Klose emphasized the close cooperation between U.S. and German troops in Afghanistan. In the ensuing Q&A session, Ambassador Murphy and Mr. Klose also stated their opinions on how to best deal within the financial crisis, both on a political and economic level.
Under Secretary Hormats in Berlin
 June 14–15, 2010. Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Robert D. Hormats visited Berlin for discussions with German government counterparts and industry leaders on a wide range of issues of interest to the bilateral relationship, and our cooperation in multilateral and transatlantic fora, including trade, investment and finance, which can help stimulate jobs and growth for both countries. At a June 15 press roundtable at the U.S. Embassy, Under Secretary Hormats put the G-20 process into broader strategic context as the new means of cooperation for the 21st century. He noted that the United States expects the Toronto meeting will focus on several important issues, such as achieving strong and balanced growth. “We see U.S.-EU cooperation as key," he told journalists, and said that, in his meetings with government officials, he discussed ways in which Germany and the United States could work productively at the G-20 and G-8 towards such an outcome. “Basically, we see the Toronto G-20 meeting as being a follow-up process to the framework agreement that was reached at the September 2007 G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh,” said Hormats. The Under Secretary also reiterated U.S. support for a successful agreement in the Doha Round, citing the need for the world’s largest emerging economies to play a substantial role and make substantial contributions and commitments to the outcome. “We want to work this out in a constructive way. We don't see this as confrontational. We just see this as a way of making the trading system work better for everyone, and that means contributions from these countries have to be commensurate with their strength in the global trading system.”
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