speeches by amb. coats

Berlin, Schloss Bellevue
September 12, 2001

UPON ARRIVAL)
I would like to express my very deep gratitude to President Johannes Rau for
his extraordinary offer to allow me to present my credentials as the United
States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany. This is, I believe,
unprecedented; but this is an unprecedented situation that we face, and I am
deeply grateful for this offer by the President. It is emblematic of the
expressions of support we have received from Germans, from the President to
Germans across this land.

President Bush and the American people are deeply appreciative of the
condolences and the expressions of friendship and support that have been
offered to us. At times like this, the support of friends is particularly
needed and appreciated.

On behalf of President Bush and the Americans, we want to say thank you to
German people for this wonderful expression of friendship in a very, very
difficult time. Thank you.

(FOLLOWING PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS)
Bundespräsident Rau has been most gracious in allowing me to present my
credentials to him today. I am greatly appreciative of that.

When Americans and Germans stand together we are a powerful voice for peace.
And today we stand together and we will be a voice for peace, and the rule
of law, and freedom and democracy for people everywhere in the world who
cherish those same values.

We are shoulder to shoulder, we stand together and go forward with great
hope for the future, that together we can transcend violence and transcend
hatred, and replace it with solidarity and replace it with support for free
people everywhere.

I am deeply gratified to be here as Ambassador from the United States and to
be received today by your very gracious President. I look forward to my
stay here in Germany.

I thank you very much.