In search of a statesman

Obama’s weakness is his lack of experience in foreign policy and the trip’s main goal was to show the American electorate that he can behave like a statesman abroad.

The atmosphere during his speech felt more like a concert than a political rally. Most of the people who showed up were young and more interested in seeing Obama than in listening to what he had to say.

I found it strange that no posters were allowed since it was announced as a public event. Why can’t the people express what they think? Security was also very tight. I had to wait over an hour to go through the airport-like security gates and had to empty my purse on a table.

Wide-ranging speech

In his 30-minute wide-ranging address, Obama called for America’s partnership with Europe to be renewed. He started the speech recalling the Berlin Airlift in 1948, when the allies flew food and supplies to more than two million Berliners in response to the Soviet-initiated blockade of the western portion of the city. He also mentioned the Marshall Plan, a US-sponsored program designed to rehabilitate the economies of Europe in order to prevent the whole continent from turning communist.

“Partnership and cooperation among nations is not a choice; it is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity,” Obama said. Acknowledging recent detachment within the transatlantic alliance, he said, “True partnership, true progress requires constant work, a sustained sacrifice. They require sharing the burdens of development and diplomacy, of peace and progress. They require allies who will listen to each other, who will learn from each other and, most of all, trust each other.”

Without mentioning George W. Bush directly, Obama said: “I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we’ve struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We’ve made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions.” He then continued: “In Europe, the view that America is part of what has gone wrong in our world, rather than a force to help make it right, has become all too common.”

The last eight years of the Bush administration have ruined German-US relations. Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder refused to send troops to Iraq, which gave him a second term in office but deepened the rift.

It is in the US’s interest to restore ties and that’s probably why Obama started his trip in Germany rather than London where US candidates usually start their trips. Moreover, he gave no speeches in France or England. He decided to speak here to send a positive signal to Germany.

New partnership

Obama wants to take the transatlantic alliance in a new direction. Mainly, he aims for more unity on foreign policy issues. He said close cooperation is necessary in the face of new threats such as terrorism, global warming and poverty.

Though the tone of his speech was friendly, he made it clear that this new partnership comes with a price: more military involvement in Afghanistan. Nonetheless, he showed willingness for multilateral work, which is a shift from the unilateral stance of the Bush era.

However, these demands will not be easily reached. As a result of Germany’s Nazi past and its involvement in World War II, many Germans strongly oppose military action. In addition, the US and Germany have different approaches to solving the situation in Afghanistan. While Washington has focused on fighting the Taliban before beginning the country’s reconstruction, Berlin prefers a more pacifist approach, with an emphasis on economic development and training Afghan forces.

Another topic the Democratic candidate addressed was climate change: “We must come together to save this planet. Let us resolve that all nations – including my own – will act with same seriousness of purpose as has your nation, and reduce the carbon we send into our atmosphere.” This also shows a change of attitude; Bush repeatedly refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Obama talked about inequality in the globalized world: “We must build on the wealth that open markets have created, and share its benefits more equitably.” And he mentioned his concern on nuclear weapons, sending a warning message to Iran: “We must renew the goal of a world without nuclear weapons.”

All in all, Obama’s speech was eloquent, poetic and captivating. But as many experts put it, he was too “vague” about how exactly he is going to fulfill his beautiful dreams of freedom, equality and security. This criticism reflects the difference of style between political campaigns in Germany and the United States. German politicians present and explain their platforms thoroughly, whereas in America the candidates tend to talk more about values and ideals, appealing to voter emotion rather than their analytical side.

Reactions

In Germany, the government’s reaction to the speech was positive. Eckart von Klaeden, foreign policy spokesman for Germany’s ruling conservative party said it was “an impressive speech” and that it had been in the best tradition of US foreign policy.

Obama was warmly embraced by the German press, which tirelessly referred to his charisma and star-like qualities. Der Spiegel had the senator on its cover with the title “Germany meets the super star,” in reference to a recent popular TV program called “Germany seeks the super star.”

However, it was not all adoration and applause for the young senator in Germany. One sensitive issue that garnered much criticism was Obama’s demand for more troops in Afghanistan. Angela Merkel said in a press conference prior to his Berlin address that there were “limits” on how much Germany could do.

The German troop contribution, currently at 3,500 and set to rise to 4,500, has brought backing from the political parties on the condition that deployment is confined to the relatively peaceful north. But it is unpopular among Germans, who fear it could increase the risk of terrorist attacks.

I wanted to know what the attendees’ stance was regarding this issue and pastor Detlev Riemer, 65, provided an answer: “For us (Germans) it feels strange to fight terrorism with military means. I mean, is it the right way to fight terrorism?”

Journalist Peter Intelman added, “it will not get easier for us Europeans. However the demands will be done on a more equal level. Obama will ask us to do our duties just as Bush did, maybe he will ask for even more financial and personnel (troops) help.”

Is this change believable?

German civil servant Henry Biersen, 52, said: “I’m not sure that there will be substantial (policy) change but definitely a change in terms of atmosphere.”

Real change would mean that the United States would have to adopt a new mindset towards the world.

Instead of sending troops to combat terrorism America should start asking itself: Why does terrorism exist in the first place? Where does all this hate and resentment come from? In its effort to export “democracy” all over the globe without asking, the US is killing innocent people and destroying thousands of years of invaluable cultural heritage. This is what happened in Vietnam, and now again in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If this is the moment “to remake the world,” as Obama said in Berlin, America must stop preaching and do some introspection. Humility and respect towards other opinions and values would help build the bridges this presidential hopeful wants to forge to “enhance common humanity.” I hope Obama, the “citizen of the world,” will help create a more balanced and fair international arena. I wish the US would abandon its combative foreign policy style.

For Obama, this introductory meeting was important to test the field for his ideas. It was also a significant step in improving America’s image in Europe. For Germany, it was important to get to know Obama’s values to see what future cooperation might look like. Without a doubt, both parties need each other. Only time will tell how this new friendship will evolve.




About the Author
Vera von Kreutzbruck was born in Argentina. She started her career in journalism at the English language newspaper, Buenos Aires Herald. After a fellowship in Germany three years ago, she decided to settle in Berlin. She currently works as a freelance journalist contributing to media in Europe and Latin America. Her articles focus on international news and culture in Germany and the European Union.