Archive: Selected Events II/2008

This page shows our front page items from April thru June.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits New Chancery

June 25, 2008. Following meetings in Berlin, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice took the time to visit the new chancery building on Pariser Platz. After a tour through the building with Ambassador William Timken, Jr., Secretary Rice met the embassy staff and family members in the courtyard. In her address Secretary Rice stated: “What a great Embassy. It is testament to the American belief that nothing is impossible and anything can be done. I know it was not easy to bring the Embassy to this place, but it is absolutely fitting that the United States Embassy is here where it was before World War II, and this place, sitting right there, is also testament to the fact that nothing is impossible.” » full transcript of the Secretary’s remarks |  Video

Secretary Rice in Germany for Meetings on the Middle East

June 24, 2008. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Berlin to attend an international conference in support of Palestinian Civil Security and Rule of Law together with the president of the Council of the European Union Dimitrij Rupel; European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner; Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov; European High Representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana; Envoy of the Quartet on the Middle East Tony Blair; and UN Special Coordinator Robert Serry. Secretary Rice will also have bilateral consultations with German and European officials, including German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, and Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis. » Photo Gallery

ESTA is Coming - New Travel Authorization System Facilitates Visa-free Travel

June 20, 2008. “Visa-free travel to the U.S. will continue, and we are making it safer and easier for everyone.” This was the key message of today’s press roundtable with Minister-Counselor for Consular Affairs David C. Stewart. At present, citizens of the 27 visa waiver countries may travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. To improve security, U.S. authorities are now introducing an online sytem to evaluate travelers’ data in advance of travel — the same data which is currently collected upon arrival in the U.S. on the familiar I-94W form. The new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will automatically evaluate the information and advise registrants of their eligibility to travel to the U.S. More

25 Year Anniversary of the German-American Partnership Program

June 17, 2008. Cultural Attaché Peter Claussen joined a high-level panel discussion at the German Foreign Ministry in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the German-American Partnership Program (GAPP). The Foreign Ministry event concluded a two-day program of meetings, discussion rounds, testimonials and celebrations, including an embassy-sponsored reception marking this significant milestone for GAPP. Since its inception in 1983, more than 236,000 German and American high school students have taken part in GAPP, making it by far the largest high school/youth exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. GAPP is a classroom-to-classroom exchange program organized by high school teachers and regional administrators with the support of the German Pedagogical Exchange Service. Partner schools take part in annual two-week student and teacher exchange and remain in contact throughout the duration of the year. The panelists underlined the success and impact of the program in the last 25 years. They all agreed on the necessity to continue the program and discussed various ideas to sustain it.

President and Mrs. Bush Visit Germany

June 10, 2008. The President of the United States George W. Bush and First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush paid a visit to Germany on their tour through Europe. They arrived on Tuesday night and were welcomed at Meseberg Palace by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. On Wednesday morning President Bush and Chancellor Merkel met for bilateral talks, followed by a press conference. After lunch, the President departed Germany. » Photo Gallery

American Indian Life Today

June 10, 2008. In a lively presentation featuring lecture, discussion, and even a traditional dance, Allison Davis-White Eyes, Director of American Indian Initiatives at Oregon State University, talked about the life of Native Americans in Berlin (June 4), Frankfurt (June 9) and Stuttgart (June 10). Allison Davis-White Eyes filled the auditorium of the Ethnology Museum in Berlin with about 90 students from four Berlin high schools who followed her presentation with great interest for two hours and then ventured on a tour through the museum’s world-class collection of American Indian artifacts. In Frankfurt, she met with some 40 students of the Otto Hahn School, addressing stereotypes and perceptions of current American Indian culture and portraying the actual daily life and diversity of Native Americans in the United States today. The enthusiastic students joined Ms. Davis in an Indian welcome dance.

“Windows on America” Comes to Pariser Platz: Reception for Returning Students

May 28, 2008. Ambassador Timken and Mrs. Sue Timken welcomed Berlin high school students to the U.S. Embassy’s new building on Pariser Platz. The students from the Werner-Stephan-Oberschule, who participated in the Embassy’s “Windows on America” exchange program earlier this spring, were pleased to have the opportunity to speak with the Ambassador about the impressions and experiences they took away from their two-week program in the United States. Several journalists were on hand for the occasion, as were the members of the Board of Directors of the newly-formed Windows on America Association, a not-for-profit organization established to support the Windows on America program.

Ambassador Timken visits International Aerospace Exhibition ILA

May 27, 2008. Ambassador Timken opened the U.S. activities at the 2008 Berlin Airshow (ILA) with a reception at the Westin Grand on the evening before the show. This kick-off event attracted some 350 high-ranking decision makers and buyers from the largest U.S. and European aerospace firms. Guests included Airbus CEO Thomas Enders and several EADS top managers who emphasized that they envision purchasing large amounts of U.S.-manufactured products. On Tuesday, May 27, 2008, Ambassador Timken took in an all-day tour of ILA. The official opening of the North American Pavilion 30 minutes before the opening of the show was heralded by a ribbon-cutting ceremony under his lead. It received broad press coverage and put a spotlight on the broad variety of products of the 53 U.S. exhibitors at ILA 2008. Half of them were showcased in the North American Pavilion in hall 9 and the other half throughout the other halls. All U.S. exhibitors at ILA 2008 were supported by the U.S. Commercial Service Germany. » photo gallery

The Eagle Has Landed: Ambassador Unveils Meissen Statue

May 26, 2008. Ambassador Timken and Saxony Minister President Milbradt attended the installation ceremony of a 85-centimeter-high porcelain bald eagle in the entrance rotunda to the new U.S. embassy building on Pariser Platz. Also present was Managing Director of Meissen Porcelain Manufactury, Dr. Dieter Gerhardt. The Meissen porcelain bald eagle was commissioned by U.S. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. and his wife, Sue Timken, and donated to the U.S. Embassy. » Photo Gallery

American Embassy Moves to New Chancery on Pariser Platz

May 23, 2008. This weekend the American Embassy moves to a new chancery building at Pariser Platz 2, thus returning to the site where the old American Embassy once stood. In his office in the building on Neustädtische Kirchstraße, U.S. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. packs in preparation for the move. Some 250 Embassy personnel will move with him into the new building on Pariser Platz. After the move, the old chancery building will be returned to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Annie Proulx Reading

May 20, 2008. As part of the U.S. Embassy Literature Series, Annie Proulx, author of “Brokeback Mountain,” read from her works in the Plenarsaal of the Akademie der Künste on Pariser Platz. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Dr. Eva Boesenberg of the Humboldt University Berlin. more »

Ambassador Timken Briefs Press on July 4/5 Festivities

May 19, 2008. In a press conference, Ambassador William R. Timken outlined the planned festivities to celebrate the opening of the new embassy building on Pariser Platz. The Ambassador announced that Chancellor Angela Merkel and former President George H. W. Bush will speak at the Grand Opening which will be combined with the Embassy’s annual Independence Day reception on the 4th of July. On July 5, the Federation of German-American Clubs is hosting the public Amerikafest on Pariser Platz and around the Brandenburg Gate. more »

Remembering the Berlin Airlift: Wreathlaying Ceremony at Tempelhof

May 12, 2008. Every year, the City of Berlin remembers the Berlin Airlift with a wreathlaying ceremony at the famous memorial at Tempelhof Airport. The event commemorates the end of the Soviet/Russian blockade of West Berlin and the victory of Allied Forces engaged in the Airlift. » Photo Gallery (all photos © Pressefoto Lothar H. W. Duclos)

Berlin's Governing Mayor Wowereit on the new U.S. Embassy building

May 9, 2008. Governing Mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit sat down with Public Affairs staff to share his thoughts on the upcoming opening of the new U.S. Embassy building on Pariser Platz for a short video production on the history of diplomatic representation in Germany. Speaking of the special relationship between Berlin and the U.S., Mayor Wowereit said, “Berliners will never forget that it was the Americans, together with the other Allies, who guaranteed the survival of this city, who brought security and gave people hope in the days of the confrontation between the blocks during the Cold War. Without the help of the Americans, for example during the Airlift, the city would not have been able to survive and there could have been a war. And that is what America stands for - it is a secure partner for peace and democracy. This is something the Berliners will never forget.” » Photo Gallery

Round Table on Transatlantic Defense Cooperation in Hamburg

May 8, 2008. Leo Michel, Senior Research Fellow at the National Defense University’s Institute for National Strategic Studies, participated in a round table on “Prospects for Transatlantic Defense Cooperation: An American Perspective” at the German Armed Forces Command and General Staff College in Hamburg. Twelve faculty members, including Deputy Commander and Director of the Faculty Hubertus von Puttkamer and the head of the Department of Security Policy and Strategy Heinz Dieter Jopp, attended the event. In his presentation, Michel focused on U.S. perspectives on NATO, especially with regard to the integration of France in joint defense structures and the positions of the presidential candidates on Iraq. Moreover, during the question-and-answer session, Michel explained the role and impact of the U.S. National Security Council against the background of the current German debate on creating a similar institution.

General Renuart Discusses Homeland Security With German Experts

April 29, 2008.  General Victor E. Renuart Jr., Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, spoke on "Homeland Defense - Opportunities for Civilian-Military Cooperation" at a lecture event hosted by the American Academy.  General Renuart outlined the United States' collaborative, multinational approach to assess threats and respond to security threats and natural disasters, and explained to the audience how military and federal agencies can work together as a team to assist civilians following catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina. The most important lesson learned from Hurricane Katrina is that a proper response to such a disaster requires governmental and non-governmental agencies knowing and understanding each other's capabilities and limitations before disaster strikes.  Realistic preparedness drills in which all agencies participate are also essential.  Questions from the multinational audience focused on the roles of the various agencies and legal limitations and challenges, as well as questions concerning the role of applied science in homeland defense.   

Louis Begley in Berlin and Hamburg

April 21/23, 2008. World-renowned novelist Louis Begley read from his book Matters of Honor at the Adlon Hotel on April 21, and at the Bucerius Law School in Hamburg on April 23. About 450 political and cultural representatives of Berlin and Hamburg attended this highlight in the U.S. Embassy literature Series, among them many dedicated admirers in Germany. After the readings, Louis Begley shared personal insights into his work with the Berlin moderator Dr. Thomas Sparr of Suhrkamp publishing house, and Dr. Josef Joffe, editor and publisher of DIE ZEIT in Hamburg. In Berlin, Louis Begley also shared his views on literature and the process of writing with a very interested group of American Studies students from Humboldt University, the Free University and Potsdam University. The memorable program was cosponsored by Suhrkamp publishing house, the ZEIT Forum, the Amerikazentrum, the Bucerius Law School and Heymann bookstores.

Ernst Cramer Recalls Original U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz

April 17, 2008. In preparation for the opening of the new chancery on Pariser Platz, the Embassy in Berlin is producing a short video on the history of U.S. diplomatic representation in Germany. Prominent journalist and holocaust survivor Ernst Cramer sat down with Public Affairs staff to share his memories of the U.S. presence in Berlin. Following internment at Buchenwald concentration camp, he was granted a U.S. visa at the Embassy on Pariser Platz and eventually became (and remains) a U.S. citizen. In the interview, he described his 1939 visit to the Embassy where he “felt like a human being” again, his experiences as a U.S. soldier during the war, and his relationship to the U.S. Embassy in Berlin over the last sixty years. Photo Gallery

German Minister of Defense and U.S. Ambassador Visit Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

April 11, 2008. U.S. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. and German Minister of Defense Dr. Franz Josef Jung visited the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on April 11. For Defense Minister Jung it was his first visit to the largest American hospital outside the United States. Landstuhl Regional Medical Center provides care for military personnel and their families within the European Command, and is also the evacuation and treatment center for all injured U.S. service members, contractors and members of the coalition forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The following day, Ambassador Timken and his wife, Sue, visited the German Cancer Research Institute in Heidelberg.

Berlin’s Governing Mayor welcomes American Fulbright grantees

U.S. Election and the Economy

April 4, 2008. The Embassy continued its Election Speaker Series with Susan Alexander, founder and Managing Director of Luxembourg-based Minerva Research & Advisory, who spoke on the U.S. economy and its role in the 2008 presidential campaign. More