In Focus
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Berlin Students Take Center Stage At “Dancing to Connect” Performance
 July 5, 2008. Ninety high school students from five inner-city schools danced for the first time in their lives before an enthusiastic crowd of family, friends and dance lovers at one of Berlin’s most renowned theaters, the “Haus der Berliner Festspiele.” The performance was the culmination of a week-long “Dancing to Connect” workshop in which the students, many of whom come from immigrant or Muslim families, had created, rehearsed and polished their own dances on themes of integration and tolerance. The performance was part of official Independence Day celebrations in honor of the opening of the new Embassy building in the heart of Berlin. Two acclaimed New York dance companies, Battery Dance Company and Drastic Action, mentored the student and guided their creative work. Video (to download)
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News from the Embassy |
Chancellor Merkel and Former President Bush Celebrate Embassy Opening
 July 4, 2008. Today the U.S. Embassy celebrated U.S. Independence Day and the Grand Opening of the new embassy building on Pariser Platz. Chancellor Angela Merkel, former President George H. W. Bush, and Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. spoke about the historical significance of the new embassy site which serves as a living symbol of the German-American partnership. As a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, a group of Airlift pilots also participated, among them Col. Gail Halvorsen, the original candy bomber. The traditional fireworks display closed the program in the evening. Photo Gallery
Treasury Secretary Paulson meets German Minister Glos
 July 1, 2008. This morning, United States Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. met with German Minister for Economics and Technology Michael Glos in Berlin to discuss global financial markets and the need to keep economies around the world open to investment as well as efforts to protect the global financial system. During a joint press availability, Paulson and Glos also addressed environment and energy issues, in particular the launch of the international clean technology fund which will increase and accelerate the deployment of cleaner, more efficient technologies in developing nations like India and China.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits New Chancery
 June 25, 2008. Following meetings in Berlin, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice took the time to visit the new chancery building on Pariser Platz. After a tour through the building with Ambassador William Timken, Jr., Secretary Rice met the embassy staff and family members in the courtyard. In her address Secretary Rice stated: “What a great Embassy. It is testament to the American belief that nothing is impossible and anything can be done. I know it was not easy to bring the Embassy to this place, but it is absolutely fitting that the United States Embassy is here where it was before World War II, and this place, sitting right there, is also testament to the fact that nothing is impossible.” » full transcript of the Secretary’s remarks
Secretary Rice in Germany for Meetings on the Middle East
 June 24, 2008. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Berlin to attend an international conference in support of Palestinian Civil Security and Rule of Law together with the president of the Council of the European Union Dimitrij Rupel; European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner; Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov; European High Representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana; Envoy of the Quartet on the Middle East Tony Blair; and UN Special Coordinator Robert Serry. Secretary Rice will also have bilateral consultations with German and European officials, including German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, and Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis. » Photo Gallery
ESTA is Coming - New Travel Authorization System Facilitates Visa-free Travel
June 20, 2008. “Visa-free travel to the U.S. will continue, and we are making it safer and easier for everyone.” This was the key message of today’s press roundtable with Minister-Counselor for Consular Affairs David C. Stewart. At present, citizens of the 27 visa waiver countries may travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. To improve security, U.S. authorities are now introducing an online sytem to evaluate travelers’ data in advance of travel — the same data which is currently collected upon arrival in the U.S. on the familiar I-94W form. The new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will automatically evaluate the information and advise registrants of their eligibility to travel to the U.S. More
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