The Visit to Germany: New Criticism of Obama’s Berlin Plans
Published in Zeit
(Germany) on July 20th, 2008
by (link to original)
U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama will probably give a speech at the Victory Column during his Berlin visit. Now, members of the CDU and FDP are criticizing the choice: The Victory Column is a location with “unfortunate symbolism” due to its connection to the Nazi era.
Presidential candidate Barack Obama’s plan to speak at Berlin’s Victory Column is drawing new criticism. FDP spokesman Rainer Brüderle thinks the location isn’t appropriate. The column was brought to its present location by Adolf Hitler and for him was a symbol of German superiority and victorious wars against Denmark, Austria and France, Brüderle told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag. “The question occurred to me whether Obama had been properly advised concerning the setting for a speech meant to be about his visions of global cooperation,” he added.
Andreas Schockenhoff of the CDU also criticized the “unfortunate symbolism” of the choice. “The Berlin Victory Column on the Great Star is dedicated to victory over those neighbors who today are our friends and allies,” he told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag. Obama is expected in Berlin on Thursday. Originally, there were discussions about the possibility of Obama speaking at the Brandenburg Gate. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), however, expressed reservations about that.
Bild am Sonntag asked many prominent personalities for their opinions as to what they hoped would be the subject of Obama’s speech. FDP chief Guido Westerwelle suggested, “Dear friends, we begin anew,” while North Rhein Westphalian Prime Minister Jürgen Rüttgers liked the theme “Europe and America belong together.” Protestant-Lutheran Regional Church Bishop Margot Käßmann would like to hear him promise to end the Iraq War while ex-national soccer team trainer Rudi Völler hopes he will suggest that America and Germany join forces in the battle against climate change.
Presidential candidate Barack Obama’s plan to speak at Berlin’s Victory Column is drawing new criticism. FDP spokesman Rainer Brüderle thinks the location isn’t appropriate. The column was brought to its present location by Adolf Hitler and for him was a symbol of German superiority and victorious wars against Denmark, Austria and France, Brüderle told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag. “The question occurred to me whether Obama had been properly advised concerning the setting for a speech meant to be about his visions of global cooperation,” he added.
Andreas Schockenhoff of the CDU also criticized the “unfortunate symbolism” of the choice. “The Berlin Victory Column on the Great Star is dedicated to victory over those neighbors who today are our friends and allies,” he told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag. Obama is expected in Berlin on Thursday. Originally, there were discussions about the possibility of Obama speaking at the Brandenburg Gate. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), however, expressed reservations about that.
Bild am Sonntag asked many prominent personalities for their opinions as to what they hoped would be the subject of Obama’s speech. FDP chief Guido Westerwelle suggested, “Dear friends, we begin anew,” while North Rhein Westphalian Prime Minister Jürgen Rüttgers liked the theme “Europe and America belong together.” Protestant-Lutheran Regional Church Bishop Margot Käßmann would like to hear him promise to end the Iraq War while ex-national soccer team trainer Rudi Völler hopes he will suggest that America and Germany join forces in the battle against climate change.
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