Atlantik-Brücke Dinner In Honor of Dr. Michael Schaefer  

Deputy Chief of Mission John M. Koenig

Berlin, June 26, 2007.
As prepared for delivery.


Dr. Kiep, Frau Dr. Lindemann, thank you for giving me, on behalf of the Embassy, the opportunity to officially express our appreciation to Michael Schaefer for his commitment to the German-American partnership.   German-American and transatlantic relations are in excellent shape.  Chancellor Merkel and President Bush share a strong personal relationship.  The tone of their conversations is open, constructive and proactive.  This has affected the tone of the bilateral and multilateral discussion on the major issues that face the world today.  It is also a reflection of the excellent working level relationships between our two governments.

Every day at the Embassy, we see how German government agencies and departments cooperate with their counterparts in the United States.  The extent of that cooperation is sometimes not widely appreciated or even known.  Over the past six months, the Embassy in Berlin and our five consulates have hosted a presidential visit, as well as multiple visits by both cabinet secretaries and sub-cabinet officials.  We have seen a level of bilateral cooperation that shows that, as far as Washington is concerned, the place to get things accomplished on the transatlantic and international agenda is right here in Germany.  

Without the cooperation of the Auswärtiges Amt – and specifically   Michael Schaefer – we would not have been able to move forward on a number of foreign policy issues.  I would like to mention just one example.

Together the United States and Germany produced the framework of the recent UN Security Council Resolution regarding the independence of Kosovo.  We already have strong majority support among the 15 members. Together Michael Schaefer and Under Secretary Nick Burn discussed the elements of that resolution with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Titov in order to get full Russian support.   Michael, with your experience in both southeastern European and UN issues, I know Nick was very appreciative of the opportunity to work with you.

Germany's twin presidencies of the European Union Council and of the Group of Eight came at a very critical time for the international community.  Chancellor Merkel put forward an ambitious, forward-looking agenda for both these leadership roles.  It is clear that we need to focus on the future, not the past.  But looking back at the history of the transatlantic relationship, one of the lessons of our times is certainly that totalitarianism in Europe was defeated as much by ideas as by ICBMs, tanks, and warships.  Our most effective weapon was – and still is – an underlying belief in political and economic freedom, religious toleration, human rights, representative government, and the rule of law.   The vital challenge for the 21st century is how Americans and Europeans can apply power and principle in order to make the world more just, more free, more prosperous, and more peaceful.  Our alliance is being tested in ways that its founders -- and perhaps many of us here today -- would have found almost unbelievable even just a few years ago.    In my opinion, significant progress has been made in establishing ways to work together to achieve results in the international political arena. 

Dr. Schaefer, as you take on your new responsibilities in China, I am sure you will see some of the effects of this expanded multilateral international agenda.  One of the most constructive outcomes of the G8 summit was the “Heiligendamm Process” -- a new strategic dialogue between the G-8 countries and China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and South Africa to address innovation, freedom of investment, development in Africa, and energy efficiency.  Many of the new multilateral initiatives have bilateral implications.  This will require a deepening of the practical partnership between U.S. and Germany.   We will need to bring in new players for new tasks.

I know that the Atlantik-Brücke will organize programs and conferences on these new initiatives.  Over the years, the Embassy and - Dr. Schaefer, I think I can speak for the Auswärtiges Amt on this – and the German government have counted on organizations like the Atlantik-Brücke to help us explain and add context to this multifaceted transatlantic relationship.  We are very appreciative of the work of the Atlantik-Brücke and all that it does to support German-American and transatlantic relations especially in the area of youth, cultural and scholarly exchange.  As our partnership moves into a new phase of global and multilateral cooperation, I know we can continue to count on you.

Thank you.