Obama’s Message to Europe

By ROGER COHEN
NYT

BERLIN

Senator Barack Obama is expected here on July 24 to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Democratic presidential candidate is scheduled to make a speech at the Brandenburg Gate that aides describe as the major address of a European tour also taking him to London and Paris. Here’s what he should say:

I am honored to be in this great city as a guest of your distinguished chancellor, a true friend of the United States. No place evokes the strength of the transatlantic alliance like Berlin. As candidate for the presidency, I feel humbled to be in this city where visionary American and German leaders fought pivotal battles for freedom. Those battles are won, but the transatlantic bonds that ushered Berlin and Europe to unity and prosperity endure. These ties remain critical to our fast-changing world.

The Brandenburg Gate, now open and delivered from a no-man’s land, proclaims what the resolve of Europe and North America can accomplish. Together we are strong. Divided we falter. That has not changed.

But much else has. An alliance like NATO cannot be static. It involves give-and-take. It demands respect from both sides of the Atlantic. It benefits from curiosity. We have spent too much time talking past each other. If elected president I promise you this: I would reach out and listen to our allies!

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