"CONFIRMED THE CLOSE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC & USA"

JFK RECEIVES WEST GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 17, 1961, President John F. Kennedy received Dr. Heinrich von Brentano*, foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Germany at the White House.  In a joint statement issued following their discussions, it was stated...




"The discussion provided an occasion for a first personal exchange of views between Dr. von Brentano and the New United States Administration.  The cordial and frank conversations confirmed the friendly and close relations between the Federal Republic and the United States."

The two world leaders agreed that the North Atlantic Alliance was "a necessary basis for the defense of both countries."  They also stressed the importance of the goal of reunification of Germany based on the principle of self-determination and the preservation of the freedom of West Berlin.

 *Dr. Heinrich von Brentano (1904-1964) was born in Offenbach, Germany & educated at Ludwig Maximillan University of Munich & University of Giessen.  HVB was one of the founders of the Christian Democratic Union & served as Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany 1955-1961.  He died of cancer at age 60.

SOURCE

"Joint Statement Following Discussions With the Foreign Minister of Germany,"  February 17, 1961. Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962.

Dr. Heinrich von Brentano

April 29, 1960

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:

Konrad_Adenauer_-_9._

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GERMANY UNIFIED 23 YEARS AGO

October 3, 2013

GERMANY UNIFIED 23 YEARS AGO TODAY

Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany (JFK+50) Twenty-three years ago today, October 3, 1990, East and West Germany were united for the first time since 1945.  Today, October 3, 2013, is a national holiday in the Federal Republic.

Germany became divided in 1945 when troops of the Soviet Union occupied the eastern part of the country with Britain, France and the United States controlling the western part.

Between 1945 and 1990, Berlin was a major hot spot in the Cold War with the entire city situated within Communist-controlled East Germany while West Berlin remained free.

Two major crises occurred in Berlin during this period.  

The 1st was the Berlin Blockade of 1948 and 1949 when the Soviets attempted to cut off supplies to West Berlin.  The 2nd came in the Berlin Crisis of 1961 which culminated in the building of the Berlin Wall separating the two parts of the city.

Reunification came less than a year after the destruction of the Berlin Wall which had begun on November 9, 1989.

Today, Germans celebrate "Unity Day" with a citizens' festival called "Burgerfest."

When President John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin on June 26, 1963, he said...

"What is true of this city is...real lasting peace...can never be assured as long as one German out of four is denied the elementary right of free men...to make a free choice.

When all are free, then we can look forward to that day when the city will be joined as one.

When that day finally comes, as it will, then (West Berliners) can (take) satisfaction that they were in the front lines for almost two decades."

SOURCE

www.americanrhetoric.com

               JFK Speaks in West Berlin
                         June 26, 1963
                Photo by Robert Knudsen
                    JFK Library Image