official texts & speeches
Statement of Ambassador-Designate to Germany
William R. “Tim” Timken
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
July 27, 2005
(As Prepared For Delivery)
Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the Committee, I am honored to appear before you today as the President’s nominee to serve as United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany. I am grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by President Bush and Secretary Rice. If confirmed, I look forward to working with members of this Committee and others in Congress to strengthen bilateral relations between Germany and the United States.
Effective U.S.-German cooperation is the key to strong transatlantic ties and very much in both countries’ national interest and the interest of the world. Post World War II experience has shown that when the United States and Germany work together, we are a powerful force in support of peace, prosperity and democracy. Our vital and enduring bilateral relationship is based on common core values and a shared commitment to applying democratic principles around the globe.
Germany is in the heart of Europe, has the world's third largest economy and is the world’s leading exporter. Following the end of the Cold War and German unification, Germany has faced new economic challenges. German economic growth has slowed and unemployment, particularly in the East, has risen. The German government is grappling with much-needed economic reforms and, although clearly more needs to be done, important first steps are being taken.
The United States has a strong interest in renewed German prosperity. The U.S. exported an estimated $45 billion worth of goods to Germany in 2003. The German and American private sectors have huge investments in each others economies. Strengthening business confidence and promoting American exports are important administration objectives I am committed to support. Coming from a business background, I am deeply aware of the importance of the structural and labor market reforms Germany is considering. The United States shares with Germany a critical interest in strengthening economic growth and prosperity in Europe. Good U.S. economic relations with Germany and a constructive approach are the key to solving problems in the realms of both trade and politics. More broadly we need a strong, outward-looking Europe as a partner working together to pursue our common objectives of democratization and prosperity around the world.
An essential element of our relations with Germany is our longstanding cooperation on defense and security issues. Following the 2001 terrorist attacks on our country, German soldiers stood shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. forces tracking down Taliban and al Qaida remnants in Afghanistan. At present the Germans provide the second largest military contingent in Afghanistan and play a vital role in stabilizing the northern part of that country. Although we have had our disagreements over Iraq policy in the past, we share a strong interest in fostering stability and democracy in that country as we work to rebuild the Iraqi infrastructure. Germany provided significant debt relief to the fledgling Iraqi government and is currently providing valuable training for Iraqi police and security personnel in the neighboring United Arab Emirates. German forces have played an important peace-keeping role in the Balkans and elsewhere, contributing to our shared foreign policy goals. German military personnel also have stood in for U.S. military personnel in providing security at our bases within Germany, allowing our military to be redeployed elsewhere. If I am confirmed, an important responsibility I will face as we draw down our military presence in Germany will be to clarify and explain U.S. plans to local communities in the affected regions.
I am honored that the President has asked me to represent the United States in Germany at this time of great challenge and promise. I know that we will not always agree with German policies, nor will they always agree with ours, but I believe that our bilateral relationship will be strengthened by a clear and candid exchange of views. Diverse views foster creative solutions. Germany fully recognizes and appreciates its responsibility to oppose racism, anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination. Germany has taken significant steps to compensate Holocaust and forced labor victims of the Third Reich. If confirmed, I will continue to stress the importance of ethnic tolerance and vigorously support German efforts to acknowledge their history and the special responsibility it places on them.
Outreach to the Muslim community in Germany would also be an important goal of my tenure.
If confirmed, my first priority will be to protect American citizens and their interests to the best of my ability. The safety and welfare of American citizens in Germany will be the most important aspect of the job. Continuing robust U.S.-German counter-terrorism cooperation is critical and I will do everything I can to support it. I will work with the German law enforcement agencies to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, fight the illicit narcotics trade and combat trafficking in persons. The United States has important interests in environmental issues, including climate change, and I will work to foster greater bilateral understanding and cooperation in this field.
I have lived in Europe and worked with Europeans for more than forty years. I am convinced that the next few years will be decisive for the future of the transatlantic relationship. I will do my best to contribute to making it very successful.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, thank you for this opportunity to address you today and to respond to any questions you may have.
