Merkel honored
June 8, 2011
US President Barack Obama greeted Germany's chancellor with military honors: a 19-gun salute and trumpets playing a fanfare on the White House balcony. The last time a German government head was given such a welcome in the USA was 16 years ago, when Helmut Kohl received the Medal of Freedom from Bill Clinton.
Ironically, Merkel began her political career with the nickname "Kohl's gal," but she has long since emerged from the shadow of her paternalistic mentor.
Moreover, the fact that times change can be clearly seen by looking at the sore points that have recently emerged between the two allies: their differing plans for overcoming the financial crisis; Germany's failure to vote in favor of the UN resolution on Libya; and Merkel's sudden turnaround on atomic policy. On the US side, the president has been accused of no longer maintaining the trans-Atlantic relationship as a key pillar of US foreign policy.
Claims of everlasting friendship
But when the two heads of state met on Tuesday, all these criticisms seemed to be forgotten. Merkel was the first European leader to get such a reception, Obama stressed: the trans-Atlantic alliance is at the cornerstone of US efforts to bring about peace and prosperity in the world.
"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 a speech.
For her part, the chancellor recalled the basis of the trans-Atlantic relationship: "When Germany and Europe were divided by a wall and by barbed wire, America consistently stood on the side of freedom - and stood by the side of Germans on our road to unity and freedom. We will never forget it."
Merkel said the Medal of Freedom was a sign of connection between the two countries, but she added that countries can have different opinions despite their closeness. For instance, when it comes to Libya, Merkel said: "Not everyone can take part in every action."
'Now, Germany can be opinionated'
The mere fact that Germany can disagree with the US shows that the trans-Atlantic relationship has changed, says Robert Gerald Livingston, a US diplomat whose long career has largely focused on US-German ties. In the early 1970s, Livingston was a member of the National Security Council; he has been stationed in Bonn and Berlin.
"During the Cold War, from 1949 until 1989, Germany had to really think about whether or not it wanted to give its own opinion on a question, since the Germans were dependent on the military protection of the Americans. That is no longer the case," Livingston said. "Russia isn't such a grave threat, and Germany can therefore afford to have its own opinion."
But the US still expects German support on important questions, and it is annoyed when that support isn't provided, Livingston noted.
Thus the decision to award Merkel the Medal of Freedom is not only an award for being the first East German to rise to the position of chancellor; it means Obama hopes the award will help improve ties between the US and Merkel, and will help convince Germany to take on a greater role in international politics - for example, in the Middle East.
"If we can really count on the fact that the Germans will help us in the Middle East, then I think the relationship will improve," Livingston said.
Indeed, the Middle East was a key topic of discussion for Obama and Merkel, who came to Washington with a large delegation including five cabinet members. Both politicians spoke out in favor of a two-state solution, and agreed that the Palestinian plan to seek recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly meeting in September was not the right path.
A new spin on Libya
Even when it came to Libya policies, both sides seemed to clearly want to forget past discrepancies, and look to the future. Obama explained that Germany's increased presence in Afghanistan allowed the allies to remove troops from that country that could then be sent to Libya.
Moreover, both leaders agree that it is just a question of time before Libyan dictator Moammar Ghadafi will be removed from power. When that happens, Obama said, there will be a lot of opportunity to help the Libyan people.
"My expectation is going to be there will be full and robust German support, as there has been in the past from Germany on a wide range of issues," Obama said at a press conference.
For her part, the chancellor signalled that Berlin would, indeed, help when the time comes to rebuild Libya. But in the end, it was not hardcore politics that were at the forefront of Merkel's visit to Washington.
Rather, in the evening, when she appeared in the White House Rose Garden in a long black dress to accept the Medal of Freedom, Merkel was clearly moved.
"My own personal experience shows that the things we don't even dare to dream about today can be a reality tomorrow," the German chancellor said, referring to the fact that she grew up in a divided Germany that was later peacefully reunified.
Author: Christina Bergmann (jen)
Editor: Rob Mudge