October 6, 2004. On German-American Day 2004, the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new U.S. Embassy building took place on Pariser Platz. Ambassador Coats, Mrs. Coats, and Major General Williams, Director of the State Department's Overseas Buildings Operations were joined by German Interior Minister Otto Schily, Dr. Klaus Scharioth, State Secretary of the German Foreign Office, Klaus Wowereit, Governing Mayor of Berlin and many other guests to celebrate the occasion. "Eisler Brass", the brass ensemble of the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, performed the German and the American National Anthem.
Remarks • Ambassador Daniel R. Coats English | Deutsch • Major General Charles E. Williams • Federal Minister of the Interior Otto Schily • Governing Mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit • State Secretary of the German Foreign Office Dr. Klaus Scharioth
Video View video of remarks by Ambassador Coats (11 mins, requires Real Player) Video of ground breaking ceremony (2 mins)
Background on the new Embassy Building English | German
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