GERMANY: Large security operation underway across Berlin in preparation for U.S. President Barack Obama's first official visit to the city

Record ID: 837099

  • Title: GERMANY: Large security operation underway across Berlin in preparation for U.S. President Barack Obama's first official visit to the city
  • Date: 18th June 2013
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (JUNE 18, 2013) (REUTERS) QUADRIGA ON TOP OF BRANDENBURG GATE POLICE AND POLICE CARS BEHIND STANDS FOR OBAMA SPEECH POLICE SPOKESMAN VOLKER-ALEXANDER TOENNIES WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (German) POLICE SPOKESMAN, VOLKER-ALEXANDER TOENNIES, SAYING: "The president of the United States is the person most at risk in the world. And we'll adapt our security accordingly. We check the river Spree with divers, we have sniffer dogs on the ground, all people going into secure areas are being searched. We also check the heights, meaning roofs, cranes and they all have to be secured afterwards. Special attention goes of course to the areas where the president is personally present, like the hotel, the routes he will take and of course the locations where he has official engagements like the Pariser Platz." SEALED MANHOLE BUILDERS AT POTSDAMER PLATZ SQUARE SECURITY GLASS AMERICAN EMBASSY MORE PARISER PLATZ SQUARE HISTORIAN MANFRED GOERTEMAKER SPEAKING TO JOURNALIST (SOUNDBITE) (English) HISTORIAN AT POTSDAM UNIVERSITY, MANFRED GOERTEMAKER, SAYING: "In 2008 when Obama came here for his first visit, the Germans were really, really excited about him, because he was -- so to speak -- the anti-Bush person in the United States. And many Germans expected that he would change American foreign policy entirely. In the meantime, it has become clear that even Barack Obama can not do that. He is a realistic politician and he has not changed everything, not even Guantanamo. Although, one has to say that on the other hand he has done something as far as Iraq is concerned, also as far as Afghanistan is concerned. So there is a certain disillusionment or disenchantment with this president, but on the other hand he is still the American president and a very powerful man. And as far as Germany and Europe are concerned, it is certainly an important sign that he is now visiting Germany again." GOERTEMAKER SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) HISTORIAN AT POTSDAM UNIVERSITY, MANFRED GOERTEMAKER, SAYING: "I think the transatlantic free trade agreement will be the main issue. Germany is certainly the most powerful economic nation in Europe, has vested interests in such an agreement, the Americans also are very interested in such an agreement, they would benefit from it very much, especially as far as unemployment is concerned. So I think that this is the most important issue. On the other hand there are also other minor issues -- Syria is on the agenda, but also the PRISM project, which the Germans are very critical of, so there are various things that they will talk about but I think that trade relations are the most important issue." GOERTEMAKER TALKING VARIOUS OF POLICE PRESENCE AND ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIERS OUTSIDE HOTEL WHERE OBAMA WILL STAY
  • Embargoed: 3rd July 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • City:
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA9RUC57TR659RSHC3YDV5DP175
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: U.S. President Barack Obama's scheduled visit prompted vast security measures in Berlin ahead of his arrival late on Tuesday (June 18).
    Police in the square where Obama intends to stay were busy tightening security in the hours before his arrival, with officers out on the streets in large numbers and streets blocked off in a city-wide operation to ensure safety for the president's visit.
    Police spokesman Volker-Alexander Toennies said that Obama's visit merited the extra efforts.

    "The president of the United States is the person most at risk in the world. And we'll adapt our security accordingly. We check the river Spree with divers, we have sniffer dogs on the ground, all people going into secure areas are being searched. We also check the heights, meaning on roofs, cranes, and they all have to be secured afterwards. And a special attention goes of course to the areas where the president is personally present, like the hotel, the routes he will take, and of course the locations where he has official engagements like the Pariser Platz," he said.
    Measures will continue overnight and into Wednesday, particular in Pariser Platz square where Obama is scheduled to deliver a speech to about 4,000 invited guests in the shadow of Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate.
    As security services prepare for Obama's visit, historian Manfred Goertemaker of Potsdam University said that Germans were excited to welcome him back in his first visit since he last came to the city as a candidate in the U.S. presidential election in 2008.

    "In 2008 when Obama came here for his first visit, the Germans were really, really excited about him, because he was -- so to speak -- the anti-Bush person in the United States. And many Germans expected that he would change American foreign policy entirely. In the meantime, it has become clear that even Barack Obama cannot do that. He is a realistic politician and he has not changed everything, not even Guantanamo. Although, one has to say that on the other hand he has done something as far as Iraq is concerned, also as far as Afghanistan is concerned. So there is a certain disillusionment or disenchantment with this president, but on the other hand he is still the American president and a very powerful man. And as far as Germany and Europe are concerned, it is certainly an important sign that he is now visiting Germany again," Goertemaker told Reuters.
    Goertemaker added that ongoing negotiations for the U.S.-EU free trade deal were likely to be the most important issue on the agenda for Obama's talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
    The U.S. president is due to attend a state dinner with Merkel in addition to their scheduled talks and joint news conference.
    The visit will follow close on the heels of the G8 meeting in Northern Ireland and falls almost exactly 50 years after John F. Kennedy's famous 'Ich bin ein Berliner' speech promoting American solidarity with the city.
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