Programs and Events

Jazz at the Russian Embassy
December 15, 2004. The Russian and American embassy sponsored a jazz concert with American and Russsian artists at the Russian embassy on December 15, 2004. The evening began with a performance by the band "Jazz Lab". Then Russian saxophone player Igor Butman and his band, the Butman Quartett, and American singer Jocelyn B. Smith performed jazz and blues standards. Photo from left: Ambassador Coats, the Butman Quartett with Jocelyn B. Smith, Ambassador Kotenev.
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Attorney General Ashcroft in Berlin
December 14, 2004. Attorney General John Ashcroft met in Berlin with German Minister of Justice Brigitte Zypries and Minister of the Interior Otto Schily on December 14, 2004. They discussed U.S.-German legal cooperation, particularly in the field of counter-terrorism, where Germany and the United States share common goals of upholding freedom, human dignity and the rule of law.
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Ambassador Coats speaks at the American Chamber of Commerce Annual Goose Dinner
December 9, 2004. The American Chamber of Commerce Goose Dinner is the chamber’s traditional holiday season and end-of-year meeting. As Ambassador Coats has said, this Chamber tradition has become one of his traditions. Since arriving in Berlin in September 2001, Ambassador Coats has addressed the group four times -- to discuss the year gone-by and provide a view of the year-to-come.
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Children's Reading Hour with Mary Cloud in the America Memorial Library
December 9, 2004. Mary Cloud, wife of Deputy Chief of Mission John Cloud, joined a group of elementary school students from the Galilei-Grundschule in Kreuzberg in the America Memorial Library for a reading. She read in English from a book by American author David Elliot. The event is part of the Embassy's cooperation with libraries in Germany and seeks to promote interest in America, the English language and reading among children.
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Assistant Secretary Jones Engages European Journalists by Video Conference
November 30, 2004. Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Jones from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, joined European journalists via video conference on November 30, 2004. The journalists, based in London, Paris and Berlin, discussed transatlantic relations, Ukraine elections, Iraq and other current issues with Assistant Secretary Jones.
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Senator Richard Lugar in Berlin
November 23, 2004. Senator Richard Lugar, chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his delegation met with German officials in Berlin on November 23, 2004. Meetings were held with Chancellor Schröder, Defense Minister Struck, State Secretary Scharioth and CDU party leaders. In a press roundtable Senator Lugar briefed journalists on his trip to Ukraine as President Bush's representative to the November 21 run-off elections.
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Secretary of Treasury John Snow at the Group of 20 Meeting in Berlin
November 21, 2004. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury John Snow was in Berlin to participate in the Group of 20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' meeting November 19-21, 2004. In addition to the official G-20 meetings, he hosted a series of bi-lateral meetings with other attending finance ministers.
On the morning of November 20, Secretary Snow met with his German counterpart Finance Minister Hans Eichel for bilateral talks in Berlin.
Secretary Snow also held a press conference on the conclusion of the G20 meeting in Berlin. A statement on the G20 meeting was released by the Treasury Department.(more)

Sara Paretsky Reads From Her Latest Book "Blacklist"
November 9, 2004. Author Sara Paretsky, creator of the Chicago-based, popular V.I. Warshawski private-eye series, introduced her new novel "Blacklist" to an audience of enthusiastic fans of crime fiction in Berlin on November 9. "Blacklist" is the 12th novel in the VI-series.
Her book tour throughout Germany includes readings in Hamburg, Dresden, Stuttgart, Cologne, Munich and at the Krimiherbst in Wiesbaden.
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Election Party at the Amerika Haus Berlin Set the Scene for Election Night
November 2/3, 2004. More than 800 invited guests joined Ambassador Coats, embassy officials and staff for an election night party at the Amerika Haus on November 2, which was organized in cooperation with the Aspen Institute Berlin and the Fulbright Alumni Association. The evening began with a panel discussion by U.S. election experts on candidates and issues of the 2004 presidential race, moderated by Cherno Jobatey. The Berlin Thunder Cheerleaders and a Country & Western Band entertained the guests in the course of the evening.
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Danke, MoMA! - Thank you, Berlin!
October 18, 2004. "Danke, MoMA!" was the theme of a reception hosted by Walter Momper, President of the Berlin State Parliament, and Ernst Elitz, Director of DeutschlandRadio, at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall on October 18. Several hundred guests attended the event that was held to thank all those who had participated in the preparation und realization of the unique exhibition of works from the New York Museum of Modern Art in Berlin's Neue Nationalgalerie. Speaking in German, U.S. Ambassador Coats praised the MoMA exhibition in Berlin as a magnificent example of transatlantic cooperation. The event ended with a concert by the symphony orchestra of the Bayerischen Rundfunk.(more)

Pre-Election Conference Offered Insights into Impact of 2004 Election Campaign
October 13, 2004. A pre-presidential-election conference in cooperation with Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung in Berlin on October 13, 2004 offered more than 300 participants – members of parliament, representatives from various embassies, and general audience – insights into the domestic and international impact of the 2004 election campaign. Professor Kenneth Goldstein presented current data on TV-ads and offered an unbiased analysis of how they reflect the polls and general issues; Professor Alan Wolfe discussed the historical dimension of the upcoming election wondering whether the United States are a divided country or not; Dr. Mike Haltzel elaborated on U.S. foreign politics in the context of the elections focussing on future security challenges.(more)

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New American Embassy on Pariser Platz
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.(more)

Berlin Thunder celebrate German-American Day with Ambassador Coats
October 6, 2004. Berlin Thunder General Manager Michael Lang and the Cheerleaders of the Berlin Thunder Dance Team visited the embassy to celebrate German-American Day with Ambassador Coats. As a symbol of German-American friendship they presented Ambassador Coats with a chocolate cake in form of a German-American football field.
German-American Day was first instituted on October 6, 1983, the tricentennial of German immigration to America. Now the president of the United States officially proclaims this day every year. It honors German-American heritage and the unique relationship that has been forged between Germany and the United States since the end of World War II.
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Secretary of Homeland Security Ridge in Berlin
September 17, 2004. Secretary of Homeland Security Ridge arrived in Berlin on September 17 to discuss German-American cooperation in the fight against international terrorism with German Interior Minister Otto Schily. They agreed on improvements in information exchange between the security offices of both countries.
In the evening, Secretary Ridge presented Minister Schily with the Award for Transatlantic Partnership, on behalf of the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany. The Transatlantic Partnership Award recognizes significant contributions to the German-American relationship.
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Berlin's America Memorial Library Turns 50
Mrs. Marsha Coats
September 17, 2004. Marsha Coats represented Ambassador Coats at the official commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the America Memorial Library (Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek) in Berlin. The library, a gift from the American people to the people of Berlin, was at that time a symbol of liberty in a politically divided Germany. The German government's Coordinator of German-American Cooperation Voigt referred to it as a "cultural Statue of Liberty" in his remarks. The Memorial Library is now one of Berlin's most-used cultural institutions with 1.5 million visitors yearly.
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Ambassador Coats Applauds Bundestag International Exchanges Program
September 15, 2004. Ambassador Coats attended a retirement party for Dr. Wolfgang Dexheimer, Head of Bundestag Exchange Programs on September 15. Dr. Dexheimer has been active in the Bundestag's international exchange programs since 1969. He was in charge of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program from its inception in 1983 until 1990, and again from 1996 to the present. Ambassador Coats said, "The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program has been successful because of the initiative and commitment of people like you." Over the past 20 years, some 15,000 young Germans and Americans have participated.
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U.S. Embassy Remembers Tragic Events of September 11 at the Amerika Haus Berlin
September 9, 2004. The Israeli-born Marburg artist Dani Danieli presented his four-panel photo painting "World Trade Center" to the American Embassy at the Amerika Haus Berlin on September 9, 2004. The photos of the World Trade Center were taken one day before the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Ambassador Coats spoke about the continuing struggle against terrorism and thanked Mr. Danieli for his work of art. The ceiling painting will be displayed in the Amerika Haus.
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West Side Story in the U.S. Embassy
August 23, 2004. Ambassador Coats and und Marsha Coats welcomed twenty actors and dancers of the Musical West Side Story in the embassy on August 23. During the reception the actors of the musical, including Carolann Sanita (Maria), Ryan Silverman (Tony), Lana Gordon (Anita), Robert Johnson (Officer Krupke), Oscoa Laya (Bernado), Paul Stolarsky (Doc), Karl Wahl (Riff) and conductor Bruce Barnes informed themselves about German-American relations and Berlin. The West Side Story makes a guest appearance in the Deutsche Oper Berlin until September 5, 2004.(more)

Independence Day Reception of the U.S. Embassy Berlin
June 30, 2004. Ambassador Coats and Mrs Coats welcomed more than 2000 guests to the annual July 4 reception of the Embassy at the American Academy. After the Presentation of the Colors by the Marine Guards, the German and the American national anthems were sung.
Ambassador and Mrs. Coats moderated the celebrations and joined in the concert of the "Stars in Concert" (this year represented by Bette Middler, Neil Diamond and Aretha Franklin) for the finale. The celebrations were crowned in the evening with a firework display over the Wannsee.
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Americans Conducting a Dialogue with Students from Magdeburg
June 8, 2004. In the context of the embassy's school outreach program, Ambassador Coats and his delegation of eight American policy advisors entered into discourse with students from Magdeburg on June 8, 2004. The German-American Dialogue Center of Magdeburg supported this initiative and coordinated activities on the ground. This program is intended to offer young people in Germany a chance for increased exchange of ideas and opinions about fundamental aspects of American society, history and culture with their American counterparts.
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Remarks by Ambassador Coats at the 10th anniversary of the Checkpoint Charlie Stiftung in Berlin

On May 26, 2004 a ceremony was held on occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Checkpoint Charlie Stiftung at the Abgeordnetenhaus Berlin. Among the speakers were President of the Abgeordnetenhaus Walter Momper and U.S. Ambassador Coats.
The Checkpoint Charlie Stiftung was founded in 1994 by the Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin. It supports German-American relations in recognition of the special role of the USA in Berlin from 1945 to 1994.
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National Security Advisor Rice meets European Editors in Berlin
May 17, 2004. During her visit to the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice participated in a press roundtable. She discussed the current situation in Iraq and the Middle East with European editors from Germany, France, Russia, Italy, Ireland, Turkey, Spain, Poland and the Netherlands. Ambassador Daniel Coats (photo left) had also joined the session.
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Press Conference on the Construction of new Embassy Building in Berlin
May 5, 2004. In a press conference at the U.S. embassy, Ambassador Coats revealed the plans for the new embassy building on Pariser Platz. He announced that the United States government will break ground for the construction of the new Embassy in October of this year. The building will open for business in the spring of 2008. The State Department's decision to return to this historic site is a tribute to German-American relations and demonstrates America's support of reunified Germany.
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Opening of the U.S. Pavillion at the International Air Show in Berlin Schoenefeld
May 10, 2004. Ambassador Coats and Chancellor Schröder opened the U.S. Pavillion at the International Air Show in Berlin-Schönefeld.
The Berlin Air Show is held once every two years within the grounds of Berlin-Schönefeld Airport. Its specialized conference program is internationally recognized and is a high-profile event for industry, politics and the media. In addition, the Berlin Air Show provides an excellent platform for marketing and sales activities.
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Secretary of State Colin Powell visits Berlin for the second time in April
April 28-29, 2004. Secretary Powell visited Berlin in order to take part in the OSCE Conference on Anti-Semitism, from April 28 - 29, 2004. As well as attending and addressing the conference the Secretary took part in several other activities. The photos shows Secretary of State Powell with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in a press conference on April 28.
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Remarks by Ambassador Coats at the Opening of the Albam Jewish Education and Family Center of the Chabad Lubawitsch
April 27, 2004. On the eve of the OSCE Conference on Anti-Semitism, Ambassador Coats spoke at the opening of the Albam Jewish Education and Family Center of the Chabad Lubawitsch in Berlin on April 27, 2004. The photo shows from left: Head of the U.S. Delegation to the OSCE Anti-Semitism Conference Mayor Ed Koch, Ambassador Coats, Rabbi Teichtal and U.S. Ambassador Minikes.
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Secretary of State Powell Visits Berlin High School
April 1, 2004. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell visited Germany in early April to participate in the Afghanistan Conference in Berlin. During his stay Secretary Powell also visited the Max-Planck-Gymnasium in Berlin-Mitte on April 1, 2004. He joined about 70 high school students in a lively discussion about current issues in the United States.
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Launch of the Eastern German Teachers Visitor Program
March 15, 2004. Ambassador Coats established a two-week professional program for secondary school teachers from Eastern Germany. The first group will travel to the U.S. April 3 - 18, 2004. On March 15, 2004, DCM John Cloud greeted the first 10 participants of the program in Haus Huth on Potsdamer Platz. The program is sponsored by German and American companies and organized by the U.S. Embassy Berlin and the Department of State.
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Ambassador Coats visits the USA Pavilion at the ITB
On March 12, 2004, Ambassador Coats toured selected the U.S. exhibitors at the ITB. The USA pavilion at the ITB has over 150 exhibitors promoting a wide range of destinations, regions and states. At the conclusion of the tour Ambassador Coats welcomed English language students from the Oberstufenzentrum Oberhavel II in Henningsdorf. The students discussed a wide range of issues on the United States with a panel of U.S. tourism professionals.
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Reception in Honor of the American Participants in the Berlin International Film Festival
February 11, 2004. On the occasion of the 54th Berlin International Film Festival, Ambassador Coats and Mrs. Coats held a reception in honor of the American guests and participants at the Sony Center on February 11, 2004. Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association Jack Valenti co-hosted the event. The Berlin International Film Festival featured this year a retrospective "New Hollywood 1967 - 1976" and the Marshall Plan Film Series: "Selling Democracy - Welcome, Mr. Marshall".
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Ambassador Coats tours Studio Babelsberg
January 22, 2004. Ambassador Coats and Mrs. Coats visited Studio Babelsberg January 22, to find out about current U.S. film productions at this film studio. Among the current productions are "Beyond the Sea" by Kevin Spacey and "The Bourne Supremacy" with Matt Damon and Franka Potente.
Part of the tour was a visit to the special effects studio where mechanic James Bromalick prepared a truck for a car chase.
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Ambassador Coats speaks at the Arab-Western Summit of Skills in Berlin Jan 18
January 17-18, 2004. The first Arab-Western Summit of Skills, taking place in Berlin on January 17-18, 2004, was dedicated to promoting civic and economic infrastructure development in the Arab world. Ambassador Coats joined distinguished Arab professionals living in the West and the Middle East, policy makers from the United States and European countries, and representatives from international organizations.
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