Germany's Angela Merkel at joint session of Congress thanks the USA for freedom
Friday, November 6, 2009 E-Mail this story Free Headline Alerts
By John Metzler
UNITED NATIONS Ñ In a stirring and heartfelt tribute to the United States and its people, German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress in Washington DC and outlined the post-war relationship between the United States and a politically free, and now united, Germany. Speaking to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989, Chancellor Merkel underscored the close political partnership between Germany and the USA.
Angela Merkel, who herself grew up in former communist East Germany and was a Professor of Physics, offered unequivocal praise for the role American administrations played in the long fight to bring democracy and freedom not only to divided Germany but to Eastern Europe as a whole.
Citing the historic iconography of the Cold War era, Merkel praised the pivotal role played by the allied Berlin Airlift in 1948-49, the long-term American security and the political commitments made; ÒI think of John F. Kennedy who won the hearts of despairing Berliners during his 1961 visit after the construction of the Berlin Wall when he called out to them ÒIch bin ein BerlinerÉ.Ronald Reagan, far earlier than others saw and recognized the sign of the times when, standing before the Brandenburg Gate in 1987, he demanded, ÔMr. Gorbachev, open this gate, Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.Õ This appeal is something that will never be forgotten.Ó
She equally thanked George Herbert Walker Bush Òfor placing his trust in GermanyÓ during the countdown to unification. ÒTo sum it up in one sentence,Ó Merkel stated, ÒWe Germans know, how much we owe you, our American friends. We as a nation, and I personally, will never forget that.Ó Several standing ovations greeted MerkelÕs remarks.
Angela Merkel, whose conservative coalition was recently reelected in national elections, was only the second German Chancellor to address the U.S. Congress, the first was the legendary Konrad Adenauer in 1957 who spoke during the darkest hours of the Cold War. Her Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) and the free market-oriented Free Democrats (FDP) form the new government in Berlin.
Addressing Transatlantic relations, Merkel admitted that while America and Europe have had their share of disagreements, ÒI am deeply convinced that there is no better partner for Europe than America and no better partner for America than Europe.Ó
She stressed that what united Europe and America is not simply shared history or shared interests, Òbut a common basis of shared values. It is a common idea of the individual and his inviolable dignity. It is a common understanding of freedom in responsibility.Ó Merkel added, ÒThis basis of values was what ended the Cold War.Ó Less than a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the East German regime disintegrated and formal German unity followed in October 1990.
On contemporary political challenges, Chancellor Merkel expressed Òzero toleranceÓ for the Iranian nuclear weapons program, and stated clearly ÒIsraelÕs security will never be open to negotiation.Ó Merkel reaffirmed her governmentÕs commitment to Afghanistan; Germany is the third largest troop contributor, but added that there must be a Òtransfer strategyÓ on which the Afghans shoulder wider security responsibilities for themselves.
MerkelÕs moving tribute returned to the symbolism and the Freedom Bell in the Berlin Town Hall, donated by Americans in 1950. ÒThe Freedom Bell in Berlin, like the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, a symbol which reminds us that freedom does not come about of itself. It must be struggled for and then defended anew every day of out lives.Ó She concluded memorably, Òin this endeavor Germany and Europe will also in the future remain strong and dependable partners for America. That I can promise you.Ó
Having visited Berlin on many occasions, both during the Wall and after its collapse, there is still an undeniable surrealistic feeling one has in seeing a prosperous and dynamic united city, yet somehow shadowed by the ghosts of the past, be they the National Socialist regime, the East German communists or the clarion call to freedom by President Ronald Reagan whose words still echo through this city which so symbolized the East/ West divide.
The heady memories of that seminal year 1989 remain; the epiphany of these extraordinary events where freedom vanquished tyranny, where the multitudes of people separated by the barbaric gash of the wall through their city became one overnight, and where JFKÕs exhortation ÒIch bin ein Berliner,Ó is etched in stone for those who love freedom. On that day the 9th November 1989, when the Joshua Trumpet sounded and the wall came tumbling down, we were all Berliners.