speeches
Topping-off Ceremony of the new American Embassy in Berlin
Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr.
Berlin
October 10, 2006
As prepared for delivery.
Thank you to everyone for joining us on this great day -- a typical Berlin day -- in this new facility. I know there are some parts of the world where they believe rain is good luck. I happen to believe sun is good luck, so I am glad it is sunny.
Mayor Wowereit, State Secretary Boomgarden, Mr. Norby, Mr. Eberspächer, welcome.
A special welcome to former Mayor Schütz and also to Ambassador Kornblum who both played very special roles in making this day come to fruition. We are glad to have you with us.
I would also like to pay note to Professor Ernst Cramer who is also here. Many of you know Professor Cramer from the Axel Springer Foundation. He told me -- and I don't think anybody else is going to be able to match this here -- that he received his visa here in 1939, before the Americans left. Professor Cramer, it must be especially amazing for you to experience the return of the Embassy to the heart of Berlin.
Welcome to everyone here at the future American Embassy in Berlin. Thank you for joining us here today to mark a significant milestone in the construction of our new chancery.
The concrete and mortar are giving dramatic shape to a building that symbolizes the spirit of the German-American relationship. We celebrated that spirit last week in a number of important anniversaries - the 16th anniversary of German reunification, the 60th anniversary of the "speech of hope" in Stuttgart, and over 300 years of German-American heritage. As we approach our return, Professor Cramer, to Pariser Platz, after an absence of almost 70 years, we are reminded of the enormous achievements resulting from the partnership between our nations.
Remember the long years when this square was a no man's land. Recall the historic words of President Ronald Reagan when he stood at the Brandenburg Gate, 100 meters or less away from where we stand today, and made one simple demand: Tear down this wall.
Today we benefit from that. Americans shared those experiences with Berliners. They strengthened our mutual commitment to liberty. As President Bush said in his annual German-American Day proclamation, "We are partners in peace. By working together, the United States and Germany can lay the foundation for a more hopeful tomorrow."
Many of us here today have, however, our own individual memories of this very special place. I am sure Ambassador Kornblum put many long hours into worrying about this very moment.
I also have my own experience. Not long after the Wall came down, I happened to be in Berlin. I remember standing less than a block from here, on the site of what is now the memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe. Across an expanse of dirt, I could see the Brandenburg Gate. I looked both to the left and the right -- empty plots of land. Little did I know that, one day, I would return to Berlin, as the Ambassador of our country, to oversee the return of the U.S. Embassy to its historic place and the completion of a re-born Pariser Platz. Strange world this is, ladies and gentlemen, when things like that can happen. Our new Embassy demonstrates America's support both of a reunified Germany and the importance of our partnership into the 21st century.
It's no secret that we faced challenges in the design phase of the building. Ambassador Kornblum was involved in those early crucial discussions on security parameters. I am sure this is a proud occasion for him. We were determined to have an Embassy that was safe and secure but in harmony with the architecture of this very historic place. We also wanted a building that would reflect America. We are convinced today that he did a great job and that this building will do just that.
It will be completed in late 2007 - twenty years after President Reagan's historic speech. I hope you all will join us when we officially open for business in early 2008.
I would like to thank all those who have played a role in the planning, design, and construction.
We would not be celebrating this moment without the close and productive collaboration with the German Foreign Ministry and the Urban Planning authorities of the City of Berlin, and many others.
We would also like to thank our neighbors for their patience and cooperation. We certainly have created a lot of noise. I am glad we are finishing, and we promise to be a good neighbor on Pariser Platz.
The State Department's Office of Overseas Buildings Operations has coordinated the project from the very beginning when the State Department decided to build a new embassy in Berlin. As all of you know, we could have built it out in the woods somewhere -- for far less money and with certainly far more security, but Secretary of State Powell and Ambassador Kornblum made the right decision - to be right here in the heart of Berlin with the rest of our friends.
The final design is a transformation of the original 1996 competition design by the acclaimed American architect Moore RubleYudell of Santa Monica, California.
The Hensel Phelps Construction Company is responsible for the construction and coordinating the onsite work with German subcontractors.
That brings me to our guests of honor - the construction workers. Thank you very much for your hard work and your dedication. In a few minutes we will all be toasting your excellent work.
But first, I would like to invite Ronald Norby from Hensel Phelps to say a few words
