German newspaper reports

[JDPriestly]

Again, I offer my imperfect translation of the news from Berlin. Suggestions on translations are welcome. This article is long, so I will just paraphrase most of it.

Wer Barack Obama heute am Großen Stern hören will, der sollte frühzeitig da sein. Es wird strenge Sicherheitskontrollen geben. Außerdem müssen die Zuhörer sich darauf gefasst machen, auch Forderungen von Obama zu hören zu bekommen, die ihnen nicht so gut gefallen werden. Morgen reist der US-Senator dann wieder aus Berlin ab – bleibt aber vorerst in Deutschland.

http://www.morgenpost.de/berlin/article717603/An_Obamas_Rede_wird_nicht_alles_gefallen.html

Those who want to hear Obama on the Grossen Stern (Big Star) must get there early. Security will be strict. In addition, the audience must be prepared to hear previous demands that they won't like so much. The United States senator will be leaving Berlin tomorrow, but will first stay in Germany.

***

Loose translation and summary:

Some listeners will not want to hear some of the things Obama is going to say at the Victory Column because he is going to ask for increased military presence in Afghanistan including more support from American allies and many Germans do not want that. German leaders including Prime Minister Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier have already distanced themselves from such demands.

Gary Smith, director of the American Academy, anticipates that this will be an historic event with crowds, including Americans but also young Germans, anticipated at from 10,000 to a million people, probably around 100,000.

Angela Merkel did not want the speech to take place at the Brandenburg Gate. Her political opponents, the Socialists called her petty for objecting to the Brandenburg Gate location for the speech, so in the end, Obama's staff decided on the Victory Column. Obama will be positioned so that the Brandenburg Gate is visible behind him. He will not be walking through the historic sites in the area and will not stroll through the Brandenburg Gate with Berlin's (Socialist) mayor, Klaus Wowereit. (The Socialists are the opponents of Angela Merkel's party and there is an election in 2009.)

Obama won't even have two hours to prepare for his speech after he meets with Merkel, Steinmeier and Wowereit. (I think he meets with each separately.) This is Obama's only public appearance in Europe.

The area in which Obama will speak will be open at 4:00 p.m. Get there early and bring only necessities because the security will be very strict.

There will be metal detectors and, especially those who are near the stage, will be carefully checked by security. About 250 meters (1.9 yards per meter approximately) large TV screens and fences around 6 feet high will be put up. Otherwise, access to the Zoo is open (where the Victory Column is located) although closed to motor vehicles.

Signs and banners are prohibited. American Voices Abroad is criticizing this measure as an infringement on free speech. Obama's staff is hoping to hinder protests against the United States' military presence in Afghanistan.

Hot dogs and beer will be available in the general area of the event. Before the main event, the German Reggae artist, Patrice, the German Pop-Rock Band Reamonn and the British group Di Mantu will perform.

About 700 German police will provide security at the event with the Secret Service responsible for Obama's security at Hotel Adlon.

A German group suggests that attendees bring plenty of non-alcoholic drinks and dress for the weather.

Sorry guys. Germans wrote this article. There is more detail about Obama's plans -- down to exactly where he will be going and as close to at what time as possible. I'm not going to translate too much of that. It won't interest you. But in short, Obama is spending the night in Berlin and traveling to Paris Friday and then on to London. He had hoped to visit an American military hospital in Landestuhl, but will not be able to do that. He wanted to visit wounded soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Since the end of 2001, around 49,000 American wounded soldiers have been treated at Landestuhl.

Der US-Flugplatz Ramstein ist eine der wichtigsten logistischen Drehscheiben für internationale Transport- und Frachtflüge des US-Militärs und gilt zugleich als größter NATO- Flughafen in Europa. In der Pfalz leben insgesamt rund 45000 US-Amerikaner.

The American airport at Ramstein is one of the most important logistical centers for American military international transport and freight air transport and also is the largest NATO airport in Europe. Altogether about 45,000 Americans live around Pfalz.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. I wonder if his visit to Landestuhl was nixed by BushCO,or it was a decision Obama made.

[JDPriestly]

2. Good question.

Bush/McCain have acted like a couple of jealous husbands in so far as the visit to Germany is concerned.

And, it looks like Angela Merkel finds Obama utterly charming. The two seemed to hit it off very well. Watch out, Michelle. (Just Kidding.)

[BrklynLiberal]

3. The photos that might have come out of a visit like that would have

truly blown the tops off McSame's and Chimpy's heads.