Deutsche Version

DAS Kramer Briefs Berlin Journalists

December 13, 2007. David J. Kramer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, briefed a group of international and German journalists on a range of international issues. He expressed concern regarding the upcoming Russian elections, and said that the US and NATO regretted the Russian decision to suspend its participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) which has made the process of finding a solution to the impasse "more difficult." On Kosovo, Kramer noted that stability and security were in everyone's interest. Speaking of the situation in Belarus, DAS Kramer said the attack on opposition demonstrators was "grossly unacceptable" and stated that the U.S. had pressed Minsk to release political prisoners.

“Dr. Rainer Hildebrandt Medal 2007” goes to Cuban civil rights activists

December 12, 2007. Ambassador Timken gave a laudatory speech on the occasion of awarding the 2007 "Dr. Rainer Hildebrandt Medal" to Cuban civil rights activists, Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet Gonzalez and Normando Hernandez Gonzalez, for their courageous work promoting human rights in Cuba. The event was hosted by the Museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie. The Rainer Hildebrandt Medal was awarded for the first time in December 2005 in connection with International Human Rights Day (December 10). In presenting the award to Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet and Normando Hernandez, Ambassador Timken said, "The United States will remain committed to the advance of freedom in Cuba by supporting in word and deed brave individuals like Oscar Elias Biscet and Normando Hernández, who keep the hope for democracy among the Cuban people alive. Past honorees have included Chinese human rights activist Zhang Yichun, former Israeli Prime Minister Izhak Rabin, and Suzanne Mubarak, wife of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Ambassador Timken's remarks

Gingerbread Dreams at the Ambassador’s Residence

December 11, 2007.  In keeping with the Christmas traditions of many American families, Sue Timken, wife of Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr., and American Academy Director Gary Smith entered what was possibly Berlin’s first gingerbread house competition.  A jury of three prominent Berlin chefs judged the Christmas landscapes' originality, appearances, detail, and taste. Highlighting the detail of both creations, Michael Hoffmann, chef at the Restaurant Margaux, Fabrice Lasnon, executive chef at the Hotel Adlon, and Thomas Kellermann, chef at the Ritz Carlton’s Vitrum Restaurant, declared both gingerbread house landscapes to be winners.  The gingerbread houses will be donated to homeless people at the Berliner Stadtmission before Christmas. 

Christmas Tree Shines Bright at Checkpoint Charlie

December 10, 2007. DCM John Koenig and Ms. Alexandra Hildebrandt, Director of the “Berlin Wall Museum” (aka, “Museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie”), lit the Christmas tree at Checkpoint Charlie. Beginning in December 1961, shortly after the construction of the Berlin Wall, until 1989, the year the wall came down, the city of Berlin and private organizations and individuals set up Christmas trees at Checkpoint Charlie and other inner city checkpoints as well as at a number of prominent sites along the wall. The trees shone across the Wall into East Berlin as symbols of hope and peace. The privately-operated Berlin Wall Museum revived this tradition in 2003 to remind people that the Western Allies, in particular the Americans, once stood guard, even on Christmas Day, to protect the city’s freedom.  DCM Koenig's remarks

• see also tree lighting 2006

Ambassador Timken visits the BildungsWerk Kreuzberg in Berlin

November 30, 2007. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. visited the vocational training center BildungsWerk Kreuzberg in Berlin. Ambassador Timken joined district mayor Dr. Franz Schulz, local employment center director Mr. Stephan Felisiak, and the training center's director, Mr. Nihat Sorgeç, for a detailed tour of the center's training and educational facilities. Students in the metalworking, woodcrafting, and floral arranging departments greeted the Ambassador, presenting him with sample projects they had completed in honor of his visit.   Ambassador Timken said he was very impressed by the hands-on training of vocational skills that the center offers.  He complimented Mr. Sorgeç on developing a center that provides its students with both educational and practical development. The Ambassador also expressed his view that economic opportunity is a critical component for successful integration of immigrant and minority communities. BildungsWerk is located in Kreuzberg, a predominantly immigrant district of Berlin. It is an area with high unemployment, high drop-out rates from high schools, and few opportunities for young people. BildungsWerk seeks to fill that gap by offering both vocational degree programs and certification programs to a student body comprised overwhelmingly of young people with immigrant backgrounds. Photo Gallery

Global Cultures, Common History: Iran, Europe and the U.S.

November 23, 2007. Author Terence Ward read from his recent book, “Searching for Hassan:  A Journey into the Heart of Iran,” at the Philip-Schaeffer Library in Berlin Mitte. Mr. Ward spent his early childhood years in Tehran. In this literary memoir, Mr. Ward tells the story of his family’s return to Iran to search for an old family friend. Sketching out the history of the country, he reminds the audience of the close cultural ties between East and West. Mr. Ward is a writer and cross-cultural consultant for multi-national companies, foundations and governments in the Islamic World and the West. The reading, organized by the Embassy in cooperation with the Munich based publisher Fredeking & Thaler and the Philip-Schaeffer Library, was part of the Embassy’s  America@yourlibrary partnership initiative. RBB Radiomultikulti-persisch covered the reading live from the library. Photo Gallery

50 Years of the Childrens Library at the Amerika Gedenk Bibliothek

November 16, 2007. There are many significant connections between Berliners and Americans, but the Embassy’s relationship with the America Memorial Library – a gift from the American people following the 1948-49 Berlin Blockade – is particularly special.  Given the chance to build a "cultural center," Berliners opted for an open stack, American-style public library, which represented – in the words of Secretary of State Dean Acheson, who attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of the library – the “freedom to learn, to study, and to search for the truth.”  A children’s library, which was added in 1957, celebrated its 50th birthday on November 16.  Natalie Koenig, wife of DCM John Koenig, and Cultural Affairs Officer Peter Claussen represented the Embassy at the ceremony.  The library is one of Mission Germany’s strongest partners in its America@yourlibrary initiative and works with IRC staff on chat reference services, cultural programs, educational advising seminars, and projects highlighting the history of German-American relations.  Photo Gallery

President Bush Attends G-8 Summit in Germany

June 6-8, 2007. President and Mrs. Bush arrived in Heiligendamm, Germany in the evening of June 5. President Bush attended the G-8 Summit on June 6-8, 2007. The leaders of Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom participated in the Summit along with the German host, Chancellor Merkel. The European Union  also participated. The leaders discussed continued cooperation on a broad range of international economic, security, and political issues. more

 

Secretary Rice Attends G-8 Meetings in Germany

May 30/31, 2007. On May 30, Secretary Rice attended the G-8 Foreign Ministerial in Potsdam. She also participated in a meeting of the Middle East Quartet. On May 31, she was presented the Eric M. Warburg Award of the Atlantik-Brücke.  Dr. Rice was honored for her special merits and her strong commitment, as a member of the National Security Council of President George H. W. Bush, in supporting German Chancellor Dr. Helmut Kohl to achieve German unification in 1989. The award presentation took place at the castle Neue Kammern in Sanssouci park in Potsdam, and Helmut Kohl delivered the laudation. Photo: AP Images. Briefing En Route Berlin | Press Availability | Joint Statement of the Middle East Quartet | Remarks Upon Reception of the Eric M. Warburg Prize at the Atlantik-Brücke Gala Dinner | Photo Gallery

 

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi meets Political Leaders in Berlin
May 28/29, 2007. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and a bipartisan Congressional Delegation commemorated Memorial Day with U.S. Marines and retired veterans at the Allied Museum in Berlin. She also met with Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the German Minister for the Environment Sigmar Gabriel. On May 29, Pelosi met with Chancellor Angela Merkel, one week before the G8 summit in Germany.  Photo Gallery

 

May 23, 2007. Ambassador Timken joined Defense Attaché Col. David L. Allwine and members of the U.S. Armed Forces represented in the U.S. Embassy Berlin to welcome guests from other Berlin Embassies and members of the German military and representatives of the German government to a reception in honor of Armed Forces Day 2007 at the Allied Museum. The "Lange Kerls" - the tall guards of Prussian King Frederick William I - , gave a presentation of training exercises in their historic uniforms.  On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department - the Department of Defense. Photo Gallery

 

Deputy Treasury Secretary Kimmitt At G8 Finance Ministers Meeting

May 18-19, 2007. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Robert M. Kimmitt participated in the Finance Ministers Meeting of the G8 in Petzow near Potsdam. The finance ministers from the leading industrialized countries discussed issues of financial market stability and the developing bond market in emerging countries. Good governance in African fiscal policy was also on the agenda. Following the conclusion of the meeting, Deputy Secretary Kimmitt held a press conference. Photo Gallery

 

Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Daniel Fried Talks about Europe's Role in the World in Berlin

May 9, 2007. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Dan Fried gave a speech on "Europe's Role in the World" at the conference "Rethinking Europe! The Globalisation of the European Union" at the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin. Also attending the conference were German Chancellor Merkel, German Foreign Minister Steinmeier, German Minister of the Interior Schäuble and other high-ranking officials from Germany and other European countries. Speech: English | German | Video | MP3

 

Under Secretary Nicholas Burns Briefs Journalists in Berlin

May 9, 2007. Under Secretary for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns met with members of the German and international media to discuss the agenda for the G8 Political Directors meeting to be held in Berlin on May 10.  Under Secretary Burns stressed German-American cooperation on a number of important international issues, especially on the issues of Kosovo and Iran. Opening Statement | Video | MP3 | Interviews: ARD | Bloomberg | Reuters

 

Chairman of the White House Council of Environmental Quality James Connaughton meets with journalists in Berlin

May 3, 2007. White House CEQ Chairman James Connaughton and German Environment State Secretary Matthias Machnig held a joint press availability with a group of German reporters designed to highlight US-German cooperation on combating climate change. Both underscored the importance of developing new technologies to meet future environmental challenges, and stressed that although the U.S. and Europe may differ in approaches to battling climate change, they share the ultimate goal of reducing emissions. Interview by Phoenix TV: Video | MP3 | Transcript

 

U.S.-E.U. Summit in Washington, D.C.

April 30, 2007. Statement by President Bush: (...) I told the Chancellor and the President that the EU-U.S. relations are very important to our country, that not only is it important for us to strategize how to promote prosperity and peace, but it's important for us to achieve concrete results. And we have done so. I thank the Chancellor and Jos very much for the trans-Atlantic economic integration plan that the three of us signed today. It is a statement of the importance of trade. It is a commitment to eliminating barriers to trade. It is a recognition that the closer that the United States and the EU become, the better off our people become. So this is a substantial agreement and I appreciate it.  more | More Speeches & News Releases

U.S. Transition Coordinator for Cuba Caleb McCarry Talks to Journalists in Berlin

April 26, 2007. U.S. transition coordinator for Cuba Caleb McCarry briefed a small group of German reporters on American efforts to support democracy and human rights in Cuba. McCarry emphasized, among other things, that Cubans will define their future and that it's important for the Castro regime to open up a dialogue with its people. The United States wants to offer help to the Cuban people with humanitarian assistance, food, and support for democracy. He added that while the U.S. has differences with Europe on Cuba, we have a shared commitment to a democratic future for the country.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Gates on First Official Visit to Berlin

April 25, 2007. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier for bilateral consultations.  Secretary Gates then made his inaugural visit to the German Ministery of Defense to hold discussions with German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung. A military honor guard welcomed Secretary Gates to the Defense Ministery. The two officials discussed, among other things, missile defense, NATO deployments in Kosovo and Afghanistan, and other issues of common concern. After their meeting they held a joint press conference.  Photo Gallery

 

 

J. Christian Kennedy, Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues, in Potsdam

April 23, 2007. J. Christian Kennedy, Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues at the State Department, spoke on the American role in art restitution at an international conference in Potsdam entitled "Debate without End? Looted Art and Restitution in the German-Speaking Area." The conference was hosted by the University of Potsdam’s Moses-Mendelssohn Center for European-Jewish Studies. Speech | Video | MP3

Ambassador and Mrs. Timken Meet Polar Bear Cub Knut at Berlin Zoo

April 6, 2007. Ambassador Timken and his wife, Sue, paid a call on Berlin sensation Knut, the polar bear cub at the local zoo who has attracted worldwide attention. The visit included a tour of the Aquarium and a face-to-face meeting with the bear the Berlin media has dubbed "Cute Knut." The Timkens concluded the day with a walk through the Berlin Zoo and inspection of selected historic and architectural sites. Photo Gallery (more)

 

World Bank Nominee Robert Zoellick Meets the Press In Berlin

June 14, 2007. World Bank nominee Ambassador Robert Zoellick held a press availability with a large group of German and international media as part of his "listen and learn" tour of European and African countries. His opening remarks focused primarily on his discussions with African leaders and ministers, emphasizing Africans' interest in private sector growth and wealth creation. He also said that in Europe, he has been thanking European officials for their levels of development assistance and offering to work closely with them to improve the World Bank's performance.
  

DCM Koenig Congratulates Winners of the AGBC Berlin High School Business Plan Competition

June 11, 2007. DCM John Koenig gave the keynote address at the award ceremony of the AGBC Berlin’s second annual high school business plan competition. The American German Business Club (AGBC) Berlin is an English-speaking professional and business club. In the fall of 2005, the club inaugurated a city-wide high school business plan competition. In 2006-07, applications from interested schools more than doubled and public high schools from all neighborhoods of Berlin participated. The winners of this year’s competition were Tim Stolle and Maximilian Schmieder. Their winning idea was Kiezbeats.de -- a website with current information on dance clubs. Robert Brogsitter and Vanessa Dahlke came in second with “Abendrot Erleben” – a model for providing non-medical assistance to elderly clients in their own homes. Ahum Yilmaz was the third place winner. Her plan focused on a shop for high quality dresses at low rental or second-hand prices. Photo Gallery

 

 

President's National Economic Council Director Meets German Chancellor

June 28, 2007. Allan Hubbard, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council, was in Berlin for talks with German government officials. The purpose of these meetings was to launch the Transatlantic Economic Council, which aims to achieve greater economic cooperation between the United States and the European Union. Mr. Hubbard also participated in a brief press availability with Chancellor Angela Merkel and Günter Verheugen, Vice President of the European Commission for Enterprise and Industry, a press roundtable at the Embassy, and a TV interview with ARD's Tagesschau program.

 

In Berlin, U.S. Officials Discuss Terrorism Financing, Nuclear Proliferation, and Iran with Journalists

July 12, 2007. Treasury Under Secretary Stuart A. Levey and and Assistant Secretary of State John C. Rood met with journalists in Berlin for a roundtable discussion of current terrorist financing and nuclear proliferation issues as part of their trip to European capitals to consult and share information with counterparts in the UK, France and Germany. Under Secretary Levey highlighted the activity of Iran's state-owned banks in supporting that country's proliferation ambitions and its funding of terrorism as key U.S. concerns. "It is fair to say that we're looking very closely at the activity of Iranian state-owned banks and that we believe that the risks of doing business with those banks are quite clear," he said. Transcript of Press Roundtable | Photo Gallery

 

Meterweise Amerika Book Donation to Seven Schools in Berlin/Brandenburg

July 9, 2007. On July 9, the Friends of the Amerika Haus Berlin (Freundeskreis Amerika Haus Berlin e.V.) presented a "Meterweise Amerika" book donations to seven schools in Berlin and Brandenburg in a ceremony at the Berliner Rathaus. State Secretary Barbara Kisseler (Chief, Berlin Senate Chancellery), Cultural Attache Peter Claussen and Heinz Gerd Reese, Chairman, Friends of Amerika Haus Berlin welcomed students and teachers from the following schools: Barnim Gymnasium (Lichtenberg), Haeckel Oberschule (Marzahn-Hellersdorf), Walter-Gropius-Gesamtschule (Berlin-Neukölln), Gymnasium Finow (Eberswalde), Friedich-Stoy-Gymnasium Falkenberg (Falkenberg/Elster), Alexander-von-Humboldt-Gymnasium (Premnitz), and Thomas-Müntzer-Gesamtschule (Ziesar). Since 1995 when the program was initiated, 234 meter-long collections of books on American society, culture, history and politics have been donated to schools in the region. Photo Gallery

U.S. Company invests in Eastern Germany

Opening of First Solar plant in Frankfurt/Oder, Brandenburg

July 9, 2007. Ambassador Timken joined Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel and Brandenburg State Economics Minister Ulrich Junghanns at the inauguration of the First Solar, Inc. in Frankfurt an der Oder. First Solar is a U.S. producer of solar panels based in Phoenix, Arizona. The company's manufacturing facility in Frankfurt an der Oder will generate 400 jobs and represents a U.S. investment of 115 million euros, helping to make the United States the largest foreign direct investor in eastern Germany. In his remarks, Ambassador Timken lauded the opening of the First Solar plant as an example of U.S.-German cooperation on clean energy technology and as a symbol of the bilateral commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth and combat climate change. Remarks by Ambassador Timken | Photo Gallery

 

U.S. Embassy Hosts Annual 4th of July Celebration

July 4, 2007. Ambassador Timken and his wife Sue hosted the annual Fourth of July reception of the U.S. Embassy at the American Academy. Among the guests were Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and Transportation Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee. After welcoming remarks by the Ambassador, and the Presentation of the Colors by the Marine Guards, the German and the American national anthems were played. Deputy Chief of Mission John M. Koenig read President Bush's message on the occasion. Throughout the evening, musical entertainment was provided by the USAFE Band "Check Six." The celebration ended with fireworks over the Wannsee. Photo Gallery

 

Gala Performance of "The Streets of Wedding"  

June 30, 2007. On June 30, 2007, the Ernst-Schering Oberschule from the Wedding district of Berlin presented the gala performance of the PluralArts International Musical production "The Streets of Wedding" at the Atze Theater- und Konzerthaus. The project took place under the patronage of U.S. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr., and his wife Sue Timken. At the invitation of the patrons, German Federal President Horst Köhler and his wife as well as Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and his wife attended the event, which was moderated by Marjan Parvand from N24 television. "The Streets of Wedding," a multi-lingual theatrical collaboration between PluralArts International, New York, and the students of the Ernst-Schering Oberschule in the Wedding district of Berlin, features a wide variety of musical and dance styles and is a lively examination of life in Wedding as seen through the eyes of its young residents.  Hailing from some 27 countries, approximately 80 percent of the participants in the musical are of non-German heritage. Photo: Ambassador and Mrs. Timken, German Federal President Horst Köhler and his wife, Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble with some of the cast of "The Streets of Wedding". Photo Gallery | Translation of Handelsblatt article "The Miracle of Wedding" (July 4, 2007) | in German

 

Wittenberg Summer School 2007. The American Press and the Challenges of Politics and Technology

July 30-August 4, 2007. 24 students from Germany, 5 from Poland, one from the U.S. and one from as far away as Taiwan from 15 universities discussed the “The American Press and the Challenges of Politics and Technology” at the second Wittenberg Summer School from July 30 to August 4, 2007. The program jointly coordinated by the U.S. Embassy, the Center for U.S. Studies at the University of Halle Wittenberg (ZUSAS), Magdeburg University and supported by The German Association for American Studies, has developed into a showcase of American Studies. The intensive program offered challenging lectures on issues such as freedom of the press, media concentration, the future of the newspaper, and the influence of politics by American experts such as historian Steven Whitfield, Brandeis University, Joe Misiewicz, Professor of Telecommunications at Ball State, former reporter Jim Willis, Azusa Pacific University, and Erik Kirschbaum, Reuters Berlin. In small groups throughout the week, students produced an electronic journal which reflected a high degree of media literacy and a fresh approach to the conference topic. It will be published as a special edition of the American Studies Journal on the ZUSAS webpage. Next year, the organizers plan to expand the international network and admit students from neighboring countries since cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw proved so successful this year. Photo Gallery

Ambassador Timken and his wife Sue Serve Turkey to Homeless People on Thanksgiving

November 22, 2007.  Ambassador Timken and his wife Sue invited homeless people to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the Berliner Stadtmission on Thanksgiving Day. Turkey, mashed potatoes and peas were served in remembrance of the pilgrims, who celebrated the first Thanksgiving with Native Americans in gratitude for their first harvest in America. Thanksgiving is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in November and is an important family holiday in the United States. This was the third year that the Timkens shared food with the homeless on Thanksgiving.

U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State For European and Eurasian Affairs Kurt Volker visits Berlin

PDAS Kurt Volker at the press roundtable

October 2, 2007.  Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State For European and Eurasian Affairs Kurt Volker took part in several media activities during his stay in Berlin.  Firstly he gave a live interview on the German cable news channel N-TV, where he outlined US policies toward the situation in Burma and regards the Korean Peninsula. He then took part in a breakfast in his honor hosted by the Aspen Institute during which he conducted a tour d'horizon of the major issues confronting the international community -- e.g., climate change,  Kosovo, and Afghanistan.  He concluded his Public Diplomacy activities with a 35-minute press roundtable with German and international reporters on a wide range of subjects at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin.  On the transatlantic partnership he said "it is going very well"; the "agenda is one that can't wait"; Kosovo, Afghanistan, climate change "need attention now".

Deputy Chief of Mission, John Koenig, speaks at the opening of the Annual Berlin Model United Nations at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin.

November 14, 2007. John Koenig, currently Chargé of the U.S. Mission to Germany, welcomed all the participants of the Berlin Model United Nations 2007 to Berlin. This annual event, organized and hosted by the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin, has become a traditional meeting place and debating society for students from all parts of the world. From November 14-17, a total of 600 students from some 17 countries will take part in the four-day program, which involves giving speeches to the General Assembly, forming committees, lobbying, debating and advocating for their strategies and finally the voting on resolutions. During his remarks, Koenig said, "Many innovative ways have been found to bring home to the "peoples" of the United Nations why it is so important. Few initiatives have been as effective as the role-playing exercise of the Model United Nations." The topic for this year’s debate is "Investing in the Youth: Empowering Future Generations".  Photo Gallery

Connecting People: Mission Germany’s New EducationUSA.de Web Portal

November 12, 2007. To celebrate International Education Week, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs Dr. Helena Kane Finn officially pressed the button to put the new Germany-wide EducationUSA.de portal online. The website unites the chat, email and hotline services that the Mission provides to students with questions about studying in the United States. It also connects to the activities and services of the 10 advising centers that the Embassy and the State Department though the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs support in Germany, as well as the many educational institutions and organizations, like the Fulbright Commission and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), that support transatlantic exchange opportunities. Dr. Claudia Lux, director of the Central and Regional Library, hosted the event at the library’s E-LernBar. Dr. Finn and representatives of these exchange services stayed on at the library to participate in the monthly EducationUSA webchat.

Exploring Best Practices for Government Library Networks

November 5, 2007. Washington-based library consultant Barbie Keiser briefed the German Government and Parliamentary Library Association on the re-structuring of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency library network.  In February 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would have to reduce the budget allocation for the Agency’s libraries.  Resulting EPA efforts to consolidate regional libraries drew criticism from agency employees and environmentalists, who said it could deprive agency staff and scientists of key risk and enforcement data.  Pending EPA funding legislation gives the agency to use $2 million to reopen closed facilities but also mandates that EPA re-evaluate the structure of its library network for the 21st century.  Libraries in both U.S. and German government agencies face similar problems.  Together the group explored the “lessons learned” from the EPA experience and suggested proactive ways for libraries to respond.  The program was organized in cooperation with the Initiative Fortbildung.  

Ambassador Timken Briefs Media on His Trip to Afghanistan

November 02, 2007. Ambassador Timken briefed a high-level group of German and international reporters on his October 29-31 trip to Afghanistan. The journey was made as a guest of NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Bantz Craddock, and emphasized the commitment of the US and other nations engaged there to a "successful government that can provide for the needs of its people." During his trip, he visited Provincial Reconstruction Teams led by Lithuania, Spain and Germany, and saw firsthand the progress being made on the ground, stressing that the international community "is in Afghanistan for the long haul." Following the roundtable with the journalists, Ambassador Timken gave a brief interview to the German public TV program Tagesthemen for the ARD network in which he described the importance of the world's leading nations staying the course in Afghanistan and praised Germany's overall engagement there.  Audio File | Video

 

Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs, Dan Fried visits Berlin

October 24, 2007. Dan Fried, Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs, visited Berlin for a German Government-hosted conference on the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative (the G-8 BMENA Initiative), and for talks with Russian counterparts on the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty and Missile Defense. While in Berlin, the Assistant Secretary also met with German counterparts and parliamentarians and with German and international press to discuss questions of common concern such as Afghanistan and Operation Enduring Freedom, Iran, Kosovo, Turkey, the relationship with Russia, and the outcome of elections in Poland. Transcript, audio file (mp3), photo gallery

U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of Defense Mary Beth Long

October 23, 2007.  DOD PDAS Mary Beth Long sat down with a group of German reporters earlier today to discuss Afghanistan and the importance of Operation Enduring Freedom to the overall efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. She explained the purpose of her meetings with parliamentarians in Berlin was to answer questions about and to "demystify" OEF, and further she stressed that the operation must continue, a "German pull out of OEF would send a negative symbol," she said. Long also reiterated that US forces will be there until the Afghan government can sustain itself; "you need security to do development", she said.

 

Librarian Action Figure Nancy Pearl in Berlin

October 18-19, 2007. Since the release of the Librarian Action Figure modeled in her likeness, Nancy Pearl has become the tastemaker people turn to when deciding what to read next.  She regularly reviews books for local and national publications and does weekly book reviews on National Public Radio. She maintains that libraries are not just about technology and information access, but “about helping people find good books to read.” In Berlin, she visited the Philipp-Schaeffer-Bibliothek in Berlin-Mitte in conjunction with a book donation of American prize-winning books.  She also spoke with local librarians at a discussion moderated by Dr. Claudia Lux, director of the Central and Regional Library of Berlin and the current president of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA).  Earlier in the week, Nancy Pearl visited libraries in the Frankfurt consular district and participated in a webchat. transcript

Iftar Alumni Reception at Ambassador’s Residence

Ambassador Timken welcomes the guests

September 19, 2007.  Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. and Mrs. Sue Timken welcomed over 60 members of various German Muslim communities, as well as German political and community leaders actively involved in integration, to their residence for a program on intercultural exchange, including a traditional Iftar reception. Dr. Richard Wike from the Washington based Pew Research Center began the evening by presenting recent reports from the Pew Global Attitudes Survey on attitudes towards Muslims in the U.S. and Europe. His lecture was followed by brief reports from three Embassy alumni recounting their impressions from their recent exchange programs to various parts of the U.S., which prompted a lively discussion. The program was concluded by the breaking of the Ramadan fast after sunset. Photo Gallery.  The survey can be viewed at the following website:  http://pewglobal.org

Deputy National Security Advisor Jeffrey Discusses with German Journalists the Way Forward in Iraq

September 14, 2007. Deputy National Security Advisor Jim Jeffrey engaged six German reporters in a video conference on U.S.policy toward Iraq. Ambassador Jeffrey used his excellent German to underline that in their testimony to Congress, General Petreaus and Ambassador Crocker outlined U.S. proposals for going forward. They confirmed the challenges were great, but emphasized that the U.S. is committed to implementing the President's strategy in Iraq. The U.S. first priority in Iraq is security, followed by the priorities to build up the Iraqi army and make it more professional, to bring the various ethnic groups together, to pass the oil law, and to help support debathification. According to Ambassador Jeffrey, Europe and other countries could help Iraq with additional development aid and further training of soldiers and police. Transcript (English translation)

Ambassador Nuland visits Berlin to discuss Afghanistan with German officials

September 13-14, 2007. During her visit to Berlin, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Victoria Nuland, highlighted the great work Germany is doing in Afghanistan and emphasized "our strong hope is that the Bundestag will renew the mandate and its commitment to Afghanistan". She also said that German public opinion is not appreciative of the work that the German government is doing in Afghanistan. Nuland also called for an increase of police trainers in Afghanistan. Ambassador Nuland expressed surprise by the myths she is hearing in Germany about the Operation Enduring Freedom mission. She reiterated that OEF is mostly concerned with training the Afghan army and police.   transcript, Welt am Sonntag

Ambassador Timken and his Family Visit Tarmstedt, Worpswede, and Bremerhaven

The Timken family

September 13-15, 2007.  To take part in the 750th anniversary celebrations of Tarmstedt, Ambassador William Robert Timken, Jr. and his wife, Sue, and other family members traveled to the small town in Lower Saxony and the Bremen and Bremerhaven region. Hamburg’s new Consul General, Karen E. Johnson, also accompanied the Ambassador, whose great grandfather lived in Tarmstedt until 1838, when he emigrated to the U.S. with his family. The Ambassador’s trip from September 13 to 15 focused on the human interest story of returning to one’s roots, celebrating the strong and lasting ties between America and Germany. It generated wide-spread media coverage in local and regional media. The three-day visit of the Ambassador began with the official opening of festivities in Tarmstedt, where the Ambassador addressed more than 800 guests.  In his remarks, the Ambassador emphasized the friendship that unites both countries, and focused on the significant values that German immigrants brought to the U.S. as well as the great promise America holds for immigrants of all nations. The Ambassador and his family also visited the artist and craftspeople colony of Worpswede and met with the town’s mayor. They also learned more about the history of German emigration to the U.S. at the Bremerhaven German Emigration Center. On September 15, they visited the St. Petri church in Wilstedt, where the Ambassador’s great grandfather had been baptized and watched a large festive parade and visited the anniversary fair in Tarmstedt.  Photo Gallery

Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and U.S. Ambassador to the EU Preview September Climate Change Meetings for German Press

September 12, 2007.  The Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) James L. Connaughton and USEU Ambassador C. Boyden Gray this morning briefed a small group of key environmental reporters on the upcoming meetings later this month in Washington of the major emitters. Both Connaughton and Amb. Gray used the session to underscore the importance of the Washington meetings for reaching agreement on the elements of a global framework for reducing emissions. The results of the Washington meetings, they emphasized, will feed into and reinforce the UN (Bali) process. Transcript of Statement

September 11 Memorial Ceremony, Berlin, September 11, 2007.

U.S. Embassy Berlin. September 11, 2007.

September 11, 2007. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. welcomed over 70 guests to his residence to take part in a ceremony to remember the six years that have passed since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States of America. On that day, nearly 3000 innocents from the United States, Germany, and 82 other countries lost their lives. Ambassador Timken mentioned in his speech the events of recents days, most notably the apprehension by German authorities of three men who planned to carry out a major terrorist attack in Germany. The Ambassador spoke of his appreciation for the work of German officials in this case and for the effective cooperation between U.S. and German law enforcement officials.

Others who spoke at the ceremony were the Afghanistan Ambassador to Germany, Maliha Zulfacar; Günther Piening the integration commissioner of the Berlin Senate, and Abdul Hadi Christian Hoffmann from the Muslim Academy in Germany. After the moment of silence, in honor of the victims, a prayer was given by Imam Advan Ljevakovic.

Photo Gallery, Transcript of Ambassador Timken's remarks

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visits Berlin

September 7-8, 2007. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi participated in the sixth annual conference of parliamentary speakers from the G8 countries hosted this year by the German Parliament (Bundestag). German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the particpants to Germany.  Since 2002, parliamentary speakers from each of the G8 countries (the United States, Russia, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and Germany) have met annually to discuss various political and legislative themes. As Germany holds the presidency of the G8 this year, it hosted the "G8 2007 Speakers’ Conference," at its parliament (Bundestag) in Berlin. The Speakers’ Conference traditionally follows the larger G8 summit and tracks its themes. This year, the main discussion themes were inter-parliamentary cooperation, energy efficiency and climate change. 

Asst. Secretary of State Richard Boucher Briefs Berlin Media on Afghanistan

September 6, 2007.  A/S Richard Boucher briefed a large group of German and international journalists on the overall situation in Afghanistan. Boucher emphasized that the purpose of his trip to Berlin was "to listen, learn and answer questions" from German officials and members of parliament on the way forward in Afghanistan. He expressed his appreciation for the contributions Germany is making in "all aspects" of its work in Afghanistan, and stressed the importance of both the military and reconstruction efforts in bringing peace to the country. Concerning the recent arrest of three people accused of plotting terrorist attacks in Germany, Boucher congratulated Germany for having broken up the plot and reminded reporters that terrorism remains a threat and that everyone must continue to be "vigilant." Transcript,  Video of statement

Dedication of the Jewish Education and Family Center

September 2, 2007. Ambassador William R. Timken Jr., and Mrs. Sue Timken took part in the opening ceremony of the Jewish Education and Family Center in Berlin Wilmersdorf.  The ceremony was also attended by other dignitaries including German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Berlin's Senator for Interior Affairs, Ehrhart Körting, other Ambassadors to Germany and survivors of the Holocaust.  The center itself was an object of a fire-bombing attempt earlier this year.  Rabbi Teichtal, the  driving force behind the construction of the Jewish Educational Center, noted that the Jewish community in Berlin is growing stronger and enjoying a renaissance.  More than a thousand guests were present to watch the ceremony and take part in a street festival afterwards. photo gallery

 

Assistant Secretary for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Dan Sullivan Briefs Journalists in Berlin

August 10, 2007. On August 10, Assistant Secretary for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Dan Sullivan briefed German and international journalists on President Bush's goals for a September 27-28 conference at the State Department on climate change. Sullivan opened the session by discussing the Bush administration's objectives for the conference, emphasizing that the gathering would be the "beginning of a process" designed to work with the major economies on a framework for reaching a long-term goal for reducing greenhouse emissions. Sullivan also stressed that the September conference will look at "principles and processes" for reducing emissions, and said that his colleagues, Jim Connaughton, Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, and Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky are now traveling in Asia to show that "we are serious" about moving the climate change agenda forward. Sullivan asserted that the US is "not a laggard" on climate change and highlighted a number of US efforts to reduce emissions and grow the economy. He underscored that, despite views to the contrary, the US was not trying to set up a "rival process to the UN," noting that the work done at the Washington conference will "feed into" the UN process. Transcript

 

A Foretaste of America

July 28, 2007. Ambassador William R. Timken Jr., Mrs. Sue Timken and Munich Consul General Eric Nelson invited the 10 teenagers selected for the first Bavarian "Windows on America" group, their parents and their chaperones to an All-American Barbecue at the Consul General's residence. Also present was Bavarian Culture Minister Siegfried Schneider. The Ambassador told the teens about the genesis of the program, emphasizing the great opportunity awaiting those who participate. "Windows on America" is an initiative by U.S. Mission Germany that provides opportunities for minority students who have been traditionally underrepresented in exchange programs between the two nations to travel to the United States. The program provides students with a 10 day trip to the U.S. More on "Windows on America"

DHS Secretary Chertoff in Berlin

April 4/5, 2007. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff is in Berlin for meetings with his German, Russian and EU counterparts. He was joined by US-EU Ambassador C. Boyden Gray and Kenneth Wainstein, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and other members of the US delegation. They are discussing US-EU-Russian cooperation in areas of common concern, most notably security issues. Photo Gallery (more)
Photo, from left, sitting: Secretary Chertoff, German Interior Minister Schäuble, and Viktor Ivanov, Aide to the Russian President. Standing: Russian Interior Minister Nourgaliev, Vice President of the European Commission Franco Frattini, Director General of the EU Council Ivan Bizjak.

Press Roundtable with Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs

April 2, 2007. Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, was in Berlin on April 2, 2007 conducting a press roundtable with German and international media. He spoke on issues such as missile defense, Kosovo, US-Russia relations, and the British marines and sailors being held by Iran. With regard to the current debate in Germany on Missile Defense, Fried explained that he would be meeting with German officials to discuss the U.S. program.  (more)

Undersecretary of Defense Eric S. Edelman Discusses Missile Defense with Berlin Reporters

March 28, 2007. In a wide-ranging press roundtable with 20 German and international journalists, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Eric S. Edelman discussed the United States's proposed missile defense system in eastern Europe among other topics of interest. Mr. Edelman is currently touring Europe to discuss missile defense strategy with colleagues in Germany and the Czech Republic. Following the roundtable, the Undersecretary gave two TV interviews on the same subjects. (more)
Transcript | Remarks: Video | MP3 | Q&A: Video | MP3 

USAID Acting Deputy Administrator James Kunder at the G8+5 Development Ministers Meeting in Berlin

March 26/27, 2007. USAID Acting Deputy Administrator James Kunder lead the U.S. delegation to the G8+5 Development Ministers Meeting in Berlin March 26-27, 2007. He participated in the press conference of the G8 ministers and was interviewed by individual members of the media. The ministers discussed the important topics of "Investment in Africa," "Health," "Climate," "Gender and Empowering Women," "Global Partnerships," "Conflict Prevention," "Regional Economic Cooperation," and "Improving and Increasing Aid." (more)

Europe: The Realization of a Dream

March 25, 2007. The German capital celebrated the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome. To mark the occasion, the U.S. Embassy placed a large banner at the site of its future home on Pariser Platz next to the Brandenburg Gate. The American Embassy in Berlin applauds the first 50 years of the European Union and wishes it well for the next 50 years. (more)
See also: Statement by Ambassador Timken 
Photo: German Chancellor Angela Merkel, center front, looks back toward other EU leaders during a group photo in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Sunday March 25, 2007. European Union leaders signed the Berlin Declaration on Sunday aimed at breaking the deadlock and re-launching debate over how to renew the EU's political rule book. The ceremony was part of the EU's 50th birthday party marking the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957. Front row left to right, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Romanian President Traian Basescu, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, Polish President Lech Kaczynski, French President Jacques Chirac, Czech President Vaclav Klaus, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulous, Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov, European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana. Banner in rear hangs on the facade of the American embassy which is still under construction. (AP Photo/Jan Bauer)

 

Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Robert M. Kimmitt in Berlin

 

March 19, 2007. Robert M. Kimmitt, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, delivered a major speech at a conference hosted by the CDU/CSU Bundestag Group, "Globalization and the Transatlantic Economic Partnership," where Chancellor Angela Merkel also spoke. During his visit Mr. Kimmitt met with German government officials and participated in a variety of media events at the Embassy. 
Photo Gallery | Remarks by Deputy Secretary Kimmitt, Berlin, March 19, 2007 | Press Roundtable | "A Strong Fiscal Framework for Iraq" by Robert M. Kimmitt, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury (Washington Post, March 16, 2007)  (more)

 

Lt. General Obering Meets the Press

 

March 15, 2007. During his breakfast roundtable with 26 German and international journalists today, U.S. Missile Defense Director Lt. General Henry Obering outlined American missile defense plans and fielded a number of questions about the level of US consultations with Russia and Europe. General Obering emphasized that U.S. missile defense activities are a response to an "aggressive Iranian program" and that the U.S. system is purely "defensive" and is "in no way" a threat to the Russian missile fleet. He said he himself had briefed the NATO-Russia Council twice and noted the regular consultative sessions the U.S. has had on the subject with Europe and Russia. Obering said there is a "standing invitation to Russia to visit U.S. missile defense facilities, and that it would also be "okay" for Russia to visit our facilities in Europe, provided the host nations do not object. In response to questions about a potential new arms race with Russia being driven by American missile defense efforts, Obering said the arms race "we are concerned about is the one being led by Iran." He characterized the Iranian threat as "hostile" and based on Tehran's capabilities and intentions. Obering said the U.S. system to be deployed in Poland and the Czech Republic would be separate but "complementary" to missile defense assets to be developed by NATO. Transcript | Video | MP3  (more)
 

 

Mindy Weisel: Words on a Journey

March 14, 2007. Jewish American artist Mindy Weisel met with U.S. American and German artists and writers in Berlin at an event hosted by CPAO Anne Chermak. The daughter of Auschwitz survivors, Ms. Weisel was born in a displaced persons camp in Bergen Belsen. She has been able to transform and transcend that legacy of loss into hope and spirituality through art. Weisel discussed her upcoming contribution to the Berlin-and-Beyond project which the Outdoor Arts Foundation has commissioned for the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The discussion focused on the personal and social perspectives that art can provide. Video | MP3

 

 

Conference “What Do We Look Like to You?! – A Dialogue Between Young People and the Media”

March 13, 2007. The U.S. Embassy in Berlin and the "Bündnis für Demokratie und Toleranz", supported by the non-profit Hertie Foundation, hosted a conference on the subject "What Do We Look Like to You?! – A Dialogue between Young People and the Media" on March 13, 2007. U.S. Ambassador Timken and Peter Altmaier, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, gave welcoming remarks. More than 200 young people, media experts and politicians attended the conference.
The conference discussed how young people perceive the image of immigrants in the media as well as the role and responsibility of the media in terms of successfully integrating minorities. It gave young students in Berlin, especially those with minority backgrounds the opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss them with media experts, and work out an action plan on how they can help to solve some of the issues. Photo Gallery (more)

 

 

  “Warriors of AniKituhwa“ visited Hector-Peterson Gesamtschule in Berlin-Kreuzberg

 March 8, 2007. Three Cherokee Indians of the dance group "Warriors of AniKituhwa" from North Carolina visited the Hector-Peterson Gesamtschule in Berlin-Kreuzberg as part of the Meet US program of the U.S. Embassy. They showed traditional dances and participated in a discussion with about 120 high school students. Cherokee Indians Daniel Tramper, Hoss Tramper and Will Tushka came to Berlin on the occasion of the International Tourism Fair ITB and performed in Europe for the first time. Photo Gallery  (more)

 

USTR Susan Schwab Discusses Doha Round with Journalists

March 1, 2007.  United States Trade Representative Ambassador Susan C. Schwab conducted a telephone interview with print journalists facilitated by the U.S. Embassy in Berlin. Among others, topics that were discussed included the future of the DOHA round, the central role that Germany plays in the round, the upcoming US-EU summit and the global development agenda. (more)

Secretary Rice Met with Leaders of the Muslim Community

February 21, 2007. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and U.S. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr., met on February 21 with leaders of the Muslim communities in Germany to discuss U.S. foreign policy issues of interest to Muslims. Participants included leaders of major religious and secular organizations, German federal parliamentarians, an EU parliamentarian, a businessman, and a think-tank analyst. The U.S. Mission in Germany has engaged in a longstanding dialogue with Muslims on foreign policy as well as promoted cultural and educational exchanges. Photo Gallery (more)

Secretary of State Rice Visit to Berlin

February 21, 2007. Secretary Rice met with the Quartet in Berlin to discuss the recent agreement reached by the Palestinian government in Saudi Arabia and the next steps in the implementing the Road Map. In addition, Secretary Rice met with Foreign Minister Steinmeier and Chancellor Merkel.
Secretary Rice was traveling to Iraq, Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, Amman, Jordan; and Berlin, Germany; February 16 – 22, 2007. In Jerusalem she held bilateral meetings with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders, as well as a trilateral meeting with President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert on February 19. In Amman Secretary Rice met with the King Abdullah of Jordan and other members of the Jordanian government. Photo Gallery (more)

Ambassador Timken Delivers Speech on Climate Change, Technology and Growth
February 21, 2007. At the invitation of the Deutsche Atlantik-Brücke e.V., U.S. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr,. delivered a speech entitled "Taking Advantage of Innovation, Technology, and Investment to Address Climate Change and Grow Economies". Over 200 guests from politics, business and government attended. A lively Q & A session concluded the evening. Remarks in English | in German (more)

PDAS Kurt Volker Talks About Climate Change
February 12, 2007. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Kurt Volker visited Berlin for consulations with German counterparts after participating in the International Security Conference in Munich. In Berlin, Volker delivered remarks on climate change and energy at an event hosted by the German Marshall Fund, in which he underscored that the U.S. and Europe share a common objective in the reduction of greenhouse gases. "There are multiple means for getting there. The United States is deeply committed to the objective of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and we have a set of policies and concrete actions that are producing good, concrete results – now and in the future," he said. Speech | Interview with WDR (more)

Ambassador Times Five

February 2007. The Munich Security Conference brought together the current U.S. Ambassador to Germany William R. Timken Jr. along with four of his predecessors. The 43rd annual conference was the largest ever, and the presence of not only the five ambassadors but also a high-level U.S. Congressional delegation, attests to the ongoing high level of interest in maintaining strong U.S.-German and transatlantic ties. Secretary of Defense Gates also attended and spoke at the conference.
The Ambassadors from left to right: Richard Holbrooke (1993-94), John C. Kornblum (1997-2001), Ambassador Timken (2005-present), Robert M. Kimmitt (1991-93) and Richard R. Burt (1985-89). (more)

 

43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy

February 9-11, 2007. In the context of the 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (right) met with German chancellor Angela Merkel (second from left) and German Defense Minister Franz-Josef Jung (left) for bilateral talks. 250 of the world’s top security officials including more than 40 defense and foreign ministers meet this weekend to conduct diplomacy in an informal setting. Speech by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates | Photo Gallery | Official Conference Website (more)

Treasury Secretary Paulson Meets Media at G-7 Talks in Essen

February 9/10, 2007. The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Henry M. Paulson, attended the G-7 finance ministers meeting in Essen, on February 9-10. Secretary Paulson was interviewed by ZDF-TV on the important issues being discussed at the G-7, particularly concerns over hedge funds and climate change. He also gave an in-depth interview to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on exchange rates, the current accounts deficit, global trade, hedge funds, the future of the Doha Round, and reforming the IMF. Following the G-7 meetings, Secretary Paulson held a press conference, which was attended by nearly 40 print and electronic journalists.
Text of the FAZ interview (in German) I Secretary Paulson's G7 Statement, February 10, 2007 (more)

Senior U.S. Government Representatives Discuss U.S. Civilian and Military Efforts in Afghanistan

January 30, 2007. Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Ronald E. Neumann, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, and Lt. General Karl Eikenberry, Commanding General, Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan, discussed U.S. civilian and military reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan at a press breakfast with 40 print, TV, and radio journalists in Berlin.
The three officials, who were in Berlin for the "Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board Meeting (JCMB)" taking place in Berlin, addressed the full range of U.S. reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, including counter narcotics, police training, development aid, education, good governance, agriculture, health care and infrastructure.
Transcript | Photo Gallery (more)

Ambassador and Mrs. Timken Extend "Handshake of Understanding" to Muslim Girls in Frankfurt

January 29, 2007. During a visit to Merkez mosque in Frankfurt, Ambassador and Mrs. Timken met with 25 girls and their parents to introduce the "Windows on America" program and prepare a group of girls to participate in the program during this year's Easter vacation. The group will be the first consisting of Muslim girls only between the ages of 15-17. The participants will be selected through an essay contest. Ambassador and Mrs. Timken answered questions about the essay contest, special considerations with regard to the U.S. host families, accomodation, and travel arrangements.
During the visit, Ambassador and Mrs. Timken, who where joined by Frankfurt Consul General Jo Ellen Powell, received a tour of the mosque by Irfan Dinc, president of the Turkish Islamic Union of the Department of Religion (DitiB)Frankfurt, met with Board members of Ditib, and Gonca Aydin, responsible for interreligious dialogue with DitiB, who established the contacts to the girls and their parents. Photo Gallery | Windows on America (more)

DHS Secretary Chertoff in Berlin for Talks with German Counterpart

January 26, 2007. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff was in Berlin for talks with his German counterpart, Interior Minister Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble. They addressed the status of US-German cooperation in areas of common concern, most notably the war against terrorism. After their meeting, they held a joint press conference. In the afternoon, Secretary Chertoff met with German Minister of Justice Brigitte Zypries. Photo Gallery (more)

U.S. Secretary of State Rice Visited Berlin

January 17/18, 2007. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the German Foreign Office in Berlin on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 and with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday January 18, 2007. Before her visit to Germany, Secretary Rice was in the Middle East where she consulted with regional leaders and explored ways to help the parties make progress toward resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, continue discussions on the way forward in Iraq, and advance other issues of regional importance. Press Availability with Foreign Minister Steinmeier | Photo Gallery (more)

Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill discusses the Future of the Six-Party Talks in Berlin

January 17, 2007. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, Christopher R. Hill, spoke at the American Academy in Berlin about the future of the six-party talks. There has been no discernible progress in the six-party talks, which began in 2003 and whose fifth round from December 18-22, 2006, also failed. Tensions were further exacerbated last fall by North Korea’s first nuclear test, and last week the U.S. and Japanese foreign ministers warned of tougher measures should North Korea conduct a second test. Although the chief American negotiator at the talks, Ambassador Hill, expressed disappointment at how little was achieved last month in Beijing, he reaffirmed his faith in the diplomatic course and the Administration's commitment to the six-party process. Transcript (more) 

Press Roundtable with Ambassador Timken

January 11, 2007. For the first time in 2007, Ambassador Timken met with German media in a press roundtable at the Embassy in Berlin. He addressed President Bush's speech on the new Iraq strategy and Chancellor Merkel's recent trip to Washington. Germany's presidency of the EU and the G8 was another topic that was raised during the roundtable. (more)