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Interview: Obama on Merkel: "We don’t always agree on everything"

US-President Barack Obama stressed his friendship with Chancellor Angela Merkel: "She is a good friend and one of my closest global partners." But he will ask for more German engagement in order to overthrow the Gaddafi regime in Libya during her visit in Washington on Monday and Tuesday, he said in an interview for "Der Tagesspiegel". It is his first interview for a German outlet.

You award Chancellor Merkel on Tuesday the Medal of Freedom, the highest distinction for a civil leader in the US. What qualities do you appreciate in her that might distinguish her from other European leaders?

I felt Chancellor Merkel was a perfect choice for the Medal of Freedom because she embodies the promise of freedom and the opportunities of democracy.  After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany, she broke barriers, becoming the first East German – and the first woman – to become Chancellor of Germany.  To me, my fellow Americans and people around the world, the story of Angela Merkel is an inspiration.  As she has said, and her life story demonstrates, “Freedom does not come about of itself.  It must be struggled for, and then defended anew, every day of our lives.”  Moreover, Chancellor Merkel is a genuine friend of America and a steadfast advocate for the U.S.-German alliance.  I very much look forward to presenting her with the medal at the State Dinner.

The style of the relationship between Presidents and Chancellors has changed over time. Helmut Kohl, Boris Yeltsin, George Bush Senior hugged each other.  George W. Bush gave Angela Merkel a neck massage.  The body language between you, Mr. President, and the Chancellor seems different – some say, more respectful.  Others say, more sober.  Why is that? Are both of you different types of leaders compared to the previous generation?  Is it due to the dire circumstances like war, recession, crisis?

I always enjoy working with Chancellor Merkel, and I consider her to be a good friend and one of my closest global partners.   That’s one of the reasons her visit to Washington will be the first Official Visit and State Dinner for a European leader during my presidency.  This will be the 10th time we have had face-to-face discussions since I became president and that’s in addition to our frequent conversations by telephone and video teleconference.  My friendship with Chancellor Merkel is based on my deep respect and admiration for her as a leader and the fact that I trust her when she makes a commitment. Our nations have faced many challenges together since  my first day in office, and I’m personally very grateful to Chancellor Merkel for her friendship and partnership.

When I grew up, we had recessions from time to time.  There was a reliable pattern: The recovery in the USstarted earlier and the growth rates were higher compared to Europeand especially Germany.  This time it’s different.  Germanycoped better with the recent recession than the US.  Why – and is there anything Americacould learn from the German example?

I’m grateful that the economies of both our countries are growing, even if our paths to growth have not always been the same.  I recognize that we have very different histories that inform our policies.  Americahas deep memories of the high unemployment rates of the Depression while Germanyhad a scarring experience with inflation.  But our fundamental goals are the same -- we agree on the need to ensure that markets work well, and that both Germanyand the United States need to be at the center of efforts to ensure that global growth is sustainable and balanced. Germany, like a lot of other European countries, has had to make some tough choices in terms of spending and budget cuts, and this is something we’re dealing with as well. We’re all working on finding the right balance between providing the support the economy needs for a strong recovery and taking the steps that are required to guarantee our long-term fiscal sustainability.  Germanyhas done a great job on employment, and I understand that there are more Germans currently employed than ever in the history of unified Germany.  Many of its companies are finding creative ways to grow in a rapidly changing economy – including a focus on green jobs and new technology -- things we’re focusing on in the U.S., too.

In your speech in London you rejected the perception that the US and Europe are in decline and rising nations like China, India, Brazilare the future.  You said the USand Europeremain leaders in economy, science and individual freedom.  (In speeches on energy you often mention Germanybesides Chinaas a role model for renewables.)  Where do you see specific advantages for Germany, and what should be the distinctive leadership role for Germany?

Germany has an extraordinarily talented, skilled, and dedicated workforce and as a result Germany is a global economic power.  Germany has also proven itself a strong leader in the EU, as a force for integration, stability, and peace.  Germany’s commitment to the environment is admirable, and there are things we can learn from Berlin about how becoming greener can actually push economic growth.  It’s notable that Germany has achieved all of this while working hard to unify and create a common German identity after 1989.  Germany’s success has been remarkable, and in part, credit for this success is owed to the leadership of Chancellor Merkel.  In 1989, Germany paved the way toward freedom for the former Warsaw Pact; two decades later it is proof to the world that democracy can indeed deliver for those who are willing to work hard and sacrifice for it.

Vice versa: Where could Germanydo better in taking global responsibility and being a leader? Germanyhas been criticized for not taking part in Nato’s operation in Libya.  How does such an experience change your relationship with Angela Merkel?  One consequence seems to be that Germanydoes not take part in military consultations?

Germany is already a global leader and we are in constant contact with one other to coordinate our efforts.  Germany has some 7,000 troops deployed in several different operations around the world, so it is making a significant contribution to international peace and security.  We especially appreciate its contributions to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, where Germany provides some 5,000 troops, making it the third largest national contingent.  In addition, Germany commands the entire northern region, heads two Provincial Reconstruction Teams, and provides the logistical support base for all ISAF forces in the area, including several thousand U.S. troops.  Of course, this mission does not come without sacrifice, and our hearts go out to the families of the more than 50 German soldiers who have given their lives, including several in recent weeks, to help keep our countries safe.

On Libya, there is no harder decision to make than whether or not to commit one’s military men and women to armed conflict.  We appreciate Germany’s support for NATO operations in all theatres, from the Balkans to Afghanistan, off the Horn of Africa and in Libya. As a member of NATO, Germany is part of NATO’s command structure and makes meaningful contributions to all NATO operations.  I also want to commend Germany for recently deploying its AWACS surveillance planes to Afghanistan in order to free up other NATO members’ pilots and aircraft for the NATO operation in Libya.  I would also note that Germany is playing an important role in responding to the democratic transitions that are underway in North Africa.  I look forward to discussing with the Chancellor how we can enhance our work together to more effectively address the changes underway in the region, including in Libya.

Speaking of the democratic movements in North Africa: How do we balance our high hopes for them to succeed with the historic lesson that they normally never do in the first attempt?  The Poles, Czechs, and Hungarians needed several uprisings before they got rid of communist dictatorship in 1989.  So how much change in which time frame can we realistically expect in a region with no practical experience in democracy like North Africa?

We know that there are many challenges ahead in the Middle East and North Africa.  These are not easy transitions and they will take time. But, as I’ve said, this is also an historic moment of opportunity.  The demands for political and economic reform that are coming from the people of the region are legitimate and must be addressed.  Violence against peaceful protestors is unacceptable and must stop. Leaders engaged in violence against their people need to understand that they cannot smother calls for change through oppression.

Some of the changes we’ve already seen have been monumental – in Egypt for example.  As I said in Europe last week, the example of the former Warsaw Pact countries is instructive.  I was deeply moved by something I heard at a dinner I had with a group of Central and Eastern European presidents during my visit to Warsaw when I was there.  One of my counterparts told me how 20 years ago there were those who claimed that the countries of Eastern Europe could not handle democracy, that their cultures were not compatible with democracy.  But, he said, America had faith in these countries and they succeeded in throwing off communism and making the transition to democracy. And this leader said that his country now wants to return the favor by supporting those in the Middle East and North Africa who are yearning to be free.  That’s a good lesson for all of us.  The lack of democratic experience in the region does not make the desire for freedom by the people there any less valid or any less deserving of our support.

Last, allow me a question, which I asked as well your predecessor in the White House in 2007.  The USis a superpower.   Germany is – like the UK or France – a midsize power: pretty important for most countries, but always in fear, that it has little influence on the decision-making of the superpower, though it has to bear the consequences whether in war or financial crisis.  Can you think of any example, where you have changed your mind on an issue after talking to a European head of government, maybe even the Chancellor?

I consult with the Chancellor on every important issue on my international agenda and I very much appreciate her pragmatism and her straight talk.  We don’t always agree on everything; no two allies do.  But in our meetings and discussions, we always speak honestly and openly, as close friends should, and I believe that our approach to shared challenges is stronger because of it. I firmly believe that he issues facing the world today require that we act together.  As I have said before, our relationship with Europe is the cornerstone of our engagement with the world and a catalyst for global action.  Germany is at the center of Europe, and the cooperation between the United States and Germany is central to everything we hope to accomplish in the world.

The questions have been asked by Christoph von Marschall.

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