TEAR DOWN THIS WALL
25th Anniversary of the Berlin Wall Coming Down
Erick, Giovanni and Luis stand in front of a section of the Berlin Wall.
Dominik Mutter, Minister Counselor for Political Affairs of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany met with Herndon High Government students. This conversation took place on December 11th, 2014. Photography was not allowed inside the embassy.
Erin- We would thank to thank you for meeting with us today and providing such an interesting discussion on recent German history and your relationship with the United States.
Chris- Is your nation still celebrating its World Cup victory over MY country (shirt) Argentina? ANSWER- Ha, ha. You guys played a good game....for a little while.
Nana- Among the strongest friends of the U.S. are Germany, Canada, England and Israel. What nations are your strongest allies? ANSWER- The U.S. is our strongest ally, but within Europe France is one of our best allies and Britain to a certain extent. We also have a special relationship with Israel.
Nana- Have you visited many areas of the U.S. and if so what are your favorites? ANSWER- Yes, New Mexico, Michigan and Kentucky.
Erin- I'm wondering what your thoughts are on the events in Ferguson, Missouri and New York City? ANSWER- You are a better judge than me. My outsider perspective is that there was credence to what Officer Wilson said. But the German perspective is that it is unthinkable that an armed man could not stop an unarmed man without killing him. I find it hard to understand.
Erin- We read about German concern with American made genetically-modified food being exported to Germany. Do you think Germans would boycott American-made products like that? ANSWER- Some would boycott, most could not care one way or another.
Erick (above left, top picture)- Is there any tension or rivalry between those who lived in West Germany and those who lived in East Germany? ANSWER- There was in the 90's. Like after your Civil War; Westerners were perceived as being arrogant. Easterners were looked at as just taking money from the West.
Giovanni (above right, top picture)- Many people in the U.S. criticized President Bush for not being publically more thrilled when the Berlin Wall came down. Do you think he reacted appropriately? ANSWER- Very! President Bush was a great, momentous figure! He always talked about "My friend Helmut." He worked very well with Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
World War II Memorial
Josue- Where were you when the Berlin Wall came down? ANSWER- I was almost 18 years old. I know I was at home but not much more than that. I remember 9/11 but not where I was when the wall came down.
Justin- We learned about Helmut Kohl and his efforts to reunify Germany. Is he considered one of the great German leaders? ANSWER- I'm reluctant to name a living person one of the greats, but the reunification of Germany was a tremendous accomplishment.
Jorge- Chancellor Angela Merkel recently stated "We can change things for the better including Syria, Ukraine and elsewhere." Are Germans in favor of using troops against ISIS? ANSWER- To a certain extent. We are sending troops to Iraq to train the Kurds. But we are reluctant to send troops anywhere because of our history and pacifist tendencies.
Kaitlin- There was an article in the Washington Post with the headline "In Berlin, Life is a Party." Are you comfortable with Berlin having the reputation as a party-city? ANSWER- Yes! Sure! It's nice to be powerful and well-liked. Berlin is an inexpensive, fun city.
Mansur- Your Independence Day is January 8th. Your Unity Day is October 3rd. Which holiday is more meaningful for Germans? ANSWER- That's our independence day? Oh, right, well I guess by not knowing that answers your question. October 3rd is our National Day. It's big. We did not get our independence from a colonial power, it was when various states united in a war against France.
Quote from General George C. Marshall.
Bailey (right)- Are names like George C. Marshal, Harry Truman, John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan meaningful in Germany today? ANSWER- Yes. Not so much Marshall and Truman but definitely Kennedy who was a heroic figure to Germans and of course Reagan for ending the Cold War.
Luis- Immigration is important in the U.S. but there are controversies like President Obama's recent executive order. Does Germany have immigration problems? ANSWER- We are now the number 2 nation behind the U.S. for attracting immigrants. This did not come easily to Germany. Turks came as guest workers in the 50's but did not leave. They did not learn the language. It was like the Chinatowns in the U.S. We've opened up culturally recently. Immigration now helps us with things like maintaining our population because German women have on average less than two children. We need to exchange immigration ideas with your country.
Chris (3rd right)- What is the status of the investigation of our country tapping Angela Merkel's phone? Has that hurt the relationship between Merkel and Obama? ANSWER- The case is closed. Merkel was livid! But she's a pragmatist. She was ready to move on, the relationship is too important. But it has hurt President Obama's standing among the German people.
Chris- We noted you have a Chancellor and a President that is Chief of State. Does the President have any power beyond ceremonial duties? ANSWER- The President will sign laws. He can withhold his signature on laws. He is the last stop to make sure it is constitutionally sound.
Brady (2nd right)- Is eastern Germany still feeling the effects of being the communist nation of East German for 40+ years and if so, what are those effects? ANSWER- Yes. They've never been as strong as West Germany. Part of it is their mentality. They lived under dictatorship for 60 years. That did not create an independent-minded people. Also they are almost devoid of religion. 60% of eastern Germans don't identify with any religion. On the whole of Germany it is under 40%.
Chet (left)-Chancellor Angela Merkel recently told President Obama that Vladimir Putin "was not in touch with reality." Do you think Putin is mentally ill? ANSWER- I will just say that he has a different outlook on reality.
