In Focus
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General Renaurt Discusses Homeland Security With German Experts
 | | General Victor E. Renaurt |
April 29, 2008. General Victor
E. Renaurt Jr., Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense
Command and United States Northern Command, spoke on "Homeland Defense
- Opportunities for Civilian-Military Cooperation" at a lecture event
hosted by the American Academy. General Renaurt outlined the
United States' collaborative, multinational approach to assess threats
and respond to security threats and natural disasters, and explained to
the audience how military and federal agencies can work together as a
team to assist civilians following catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina.
The most important lesson learned from Hurricane Katrina is that a
proper response to such a disaster requires governmental and
non-governmental agencies knowing and understanding each other's
capabilities and limitations before disaster strikes. Realistic
preparedness drills in which all agencies participate are also
essential. Questions from the multinational audience focused on
the roles of the various agencies and legal limitations and challenges,
as well as questions concerning the role of applied science in homeland
defense.
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News from the Embassy |
Louis Begley in Berlin and Hamburg
 April 21/23, 2008. World-renowned novelist Louis Begley read from his book Matters of Honor at the Adlon Hotel on April 21, and at the Bucerius Law School in Hamburg on April 23. About 450 political and cultural representatives of Berlin and Hamburg attended this highlight in the U.S. Embassy literature Series, among them many dedicated admirers in Germany. After the readings, Louis Begley shared personal insights into his work with the Berlin moderator Dr. Thomas Sparr of Suhrkamp publishing house, and Dr. Josef Joffe, editor and publisher of DIE ZEIT in Hamburg. In Berlin, Louis Begley also shared his views on literature and the process of writing with a very interested group of American Studies students from Humboldt University, the Free University and Potsdam University. The memorable program was cosponsored by Suhrkamp publishing house, the ZEIT Forum, the Amerikazentrum, the Bucerius Law School and Heymann bookstores.
Ernst Cramer Recalls Original U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz
April 17, 2008.
In preparation for the opening of the new chancery on Pariser Platz,
the Embassy in Berlin is producing a short video on the history of U.S.
diplomatic representation in Germany. Prominent journalist and
holocaust survivor Ernst Cramer sat down with Public Affairs staff to
share his memories of the U.S. presence in Berlin. Following internment
at Buchenwald concentration camp, he was granted a U.S. visa at the
Embassy on Pariser Platz and eventually became (and remains) a U.S.
citizen. In the interview, he described his 1939 visit to the Embassy
where he "felt like a human being" again, his experiences as a U.S.
soldier during the war, and his relationship to the U.S. Embassy in
Berlin over the last sixty years. Photo Gallery
German Minister of Defense and U.S. Ambassador Visit Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
April 11, 2008. U.S. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. and German Minister of Defense Dr. Franz Josef Jung visited the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on April 11. For Defense Minister Jung it was his first visit to the largest American hospital outside the United States. Landstuhl Regional Medical Center provides care for military personnel and their families within the European Command, and is also the evacuation and treatment center for all injured U.S. service members, contractors and members of the coalition forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The following day, Ambassador Timken and his wife, Sue, visited the German Cancer Research Institute in Heidelberg
My Germany: Where We Have Been & Where We Are Going
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March 31, 2008. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation invited Ambassador Timken to launch its "My Germany" (Deutschlandbilder) series on March 31 in Berlin. The series is a part of the Foundation's commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. In the course of the coming year, selected speakers, including the ambassadors of the Allied Forces, will be asked to select two images from a collection of photographs that depict different aspects of German politics, society and culture. Ambassador Timken chose two historical photographs: one of Berlin children waving to an Airlift cargo plane in the summer of 1948, and the other, of people celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. Speaking to an overflow crowd, Ambassador Timken explained that the two photos summed up the story of America's commitment to Germany during the long years of the Cold War, ending with reunification -- the seal on one of the greatest success stories of modern diplomacy and also the beginning of a new vision of global partnership. After speaking Ambassador Timken took part in an hour-long discussion moderated by Graf von Hohenthal. Photo Gallery
Ambassador Hosts Interfaith Passover Seder:
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March 19, 2008. Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. and his wife Sue Timken hosted Embassy Berlin's first Interfaith Passover Seder. Scheduled early to avoid any conflict with family Passover or Easter festivities, the Seder brought together Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders for a shared meal and a discussion of the history of the Passover celebration. Rabbi Chaim Rozwaski, Chaplain to the American Jewish community in Berlin, led the guests through this traditional holiday observance. The event was co-hosted with the Berlin office of the American Jewish Committee. Ambassador Timken noted that the intent of the Seder, as with the Iftar receptions he has hosted in Berlin, was to bring together leaders from different religious and cultural groups to learn about one another's backgrounds and celebrate our common humanity. Over 50 guests attended, representing not only various religious communities, but also German government offices directly involved with national integration projects.
United States and Germany Cooperate to Combat Serious Crime, Terrorism
 | | Secretary Chertoff in Berlin |
March 11, 2008 - In Berlin, U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, together with their German counterparts - Federal Minister of the Interior Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble and Federal Minister of Justice Brigitte Zypries - initialed a bilateral agreement to enhance cooperation on the prevention and combating of serious crime, in particular terrorism. In remarks at the initialing ceremony, the Attorney General said the bilateral agreement was a great achievement both for its practical benefits and for what it symbolizes. "The agreement gives us important new tools ... and symbolizes the joint resolve of Germany and the United States to fight terrorism and transnational crime." While in Berlin, Secretary Chertoff and Minister Schäuble participated in a podium discussion, hosted by the American Academy in Berlin and the Atlantic Brücke, to discuss transatlantic cooperation in fighting global terrorism. Photo Gallery
U.S. Election and Turbo News - Expert Explains How it Works
March 10, 2008. Dr. Jeremy D. Mayer, political scientist at George Mason School of Public Policy, lectured on the role of the media in the election campaign, gave examples for the news delivered “at the speed of light”, and their impact on campaigns and platforms at Cicero Gallerie in Berlin. He explained the most important components of the election process, analyzed the candidates’ strengths and weaknesses and showed why this election is truly historical. Dr. Mayer also lectured in Hamburg (March 11), Frankfurt (March 12), Heidelberg (March 13), and Munich (March 14). Photo Gallery
Exhibitions & Events featuring American Art and Artists in Germany
Find out about the numerous cultural events featuring American artists and art in Germany. In addition to the unique MoMA exhibition that was on show in Berlin in 2004 - U.S. culture is present all over Germany with many diverse projects ranging from film, music and theater to visual arts and design. (more)
For previous programs and events please click here.
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