/ 7 June 2011

‘Dear Barack’ welcomes Germany’s Merkel to the US

'dear Barack' Welcomes Germany's Merkel To The Us

United States President Barack Obama welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House Tuesday, as American pageantry masked differences between the allies over Libya and global economics.

Merkel rolled up to the South Portico of the White House in a limousine, and was welcomed by Obama and his wife Michelle before a 19-gun military salute and the playing of the German and US national anthems launched her official visit.

The chancellor, in a lime-green jacket and black trousers, reviewed an honour guard with Obama before greeting a line of cheering schoolchildren waving American and German flags on the South Lawn of the White House.

“Germany at the heart of Europe is one of our strongest allies and Chancellor Merkel is one of my closest global partners,” Obama said in welcoming remarks.

“At a time when some have asked whether the rise of new global powers means the decline of others, this visit reaffirms an enduring truth,” he said.

“Our alliances with nations like Germany are more important than ever. Indeed, they’re indispensable to global security and prosperity.”

‘Dear Barack’
Referring to her host in English as “Dear Barack,” the German chancellor said that she was overwhelmed by the “very moving” and warm welcome.

“In Berlin in 2008, you spoke to more than 200 000 people. And in your address, you said America has no better partner than Europe. And now it’s my turn to say Europe and Germany have no better partner than America.”

Obama greeted Merkel privately on Monday night and took her out to a private dinner in the upscale Georgetown neighbourhood of Washington, and is rolling out all the pomp the United States can muster.

At a lavish state dinner later Tuesday, he will also present Merkel with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, another rare honour which seems designed to scotch persistent reports in Europe that despite mutual respect, there is little personal warmth between the leaders.

The visit also comes two weeks after Obama’s visit to Europe, in which he billed the transatlantic alliance as the cornerstone of US foreign policy, despite perceptions that he is more concerned about rising India and China.

Green screen
Merkel is in Washington at a moment of high sensitivity for her government, as Germany fights a deadly E. coli outbreak that has prompted US officials to inspect all imports of cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes from Germany and Spain.

The talks between the two leaders in the Oval Office were expected to focus on the crises in North Africa and the Middle East, Eurozone financial turmoil and other key issues.

Germany caused frowns in Washington by abstaining in a UN Security Council vote that endorsed Nato action against Muammar Gaddafi’s forces in Libya.

Germany, which has a non-permanent seat on the council, was the only European Union or Nato member to withhold its support.

The Merkel government has also been outspoken about some of the monetary and fiscal measures the US government and Federal Reserve have taken to revive the US economy after the worst crisis since the 1930s.

Entourage
Merkel has been joined on her American visit by her reclusive chemist husband Joachim Sauer and several cabinet members.

Obama told Berlin daily Der Tagesspiegel that he would now like to see Germany do more to help the international effort in Libya.

“I look forward to discussing with the chancellor how we can enhance our work together to more effectively address the changes under way in the region, including in Libya,” he said, in an interview published on Monday.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said after his arrival in Washington late Monday that the amicable start to the visit “shows that US-German relations are extraordinary”.

But he noted lingering tensions between Berlin and Washington over some issues, notably Germany’s decision not to join military action against Libya, in which Washington, Britain and France have played leading roles.

“Of course, even closest friends sometimes disagree on some things,” Westerwelle said.

But he said Germany would “firmly” stick to its guns on the issue that has led to strained relations with its partners on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest US honour that can be bestowed on a civilian, is given to people who have made significant contributions “to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavours”.