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Obama set for key Berlin speech Obama set for key Berlin speech
(9 minutes later)
White House hopeful Barack Obama is preparing to make a keynote speech in Berlin on how he sees relations between America and Europe developing.White House hopeful Barack Obama is preparing to make a keynote speech in Berlin on how he sees relations between America and Europe developing.
His arrival in the German capital kicked off the European leg of the Democrat's world tour ahead of November's US presidential election.His arrival in the German capital kicked off the European leg of the Democrat's world tour ahead of November's US presidential election.
He has been meeting German leaders including Chancellor Angela Merkel.He has been meeting German leaders including Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Thousands of people have gathered to hear him make the only public speech of his tour at the Victory Column.Thousands of people have gathered to hear him make the only public speech of his tour at the Victory Column.
"Hopefully [the speech] will be viewed as a substantive articulation of the relationship I'd like to see between the United States and Europe," he told reporters on the eve of his arrival."Hopefully [the speech] will be viewed as a substantive articulation of the relationship I'd like to see between the United States and Europe," he told reporters on the eve of his arrival.
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg reports from Berlin that the Illinois senator, 46, is very popular in Germany, where surveys suggest three-quarters of people want him to be the next US president.The BBC's Steve Rosenberg reports from Berlin that the Illinois senator, 46, is very popular in Germany, where surveys suggest three-quarters of people want him to be the next US president.
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German Country and Western fans explain why they support ObamaGerman Country and Western fans explain why they support Obama
Mr Obama will be hoping that once TV pictures of him addressing cheering crowds of Berliners have been beamed back to America it will boost his image as an international statesman, and his chances of beating Republican rival John McCain this autumn, our correspondent adds.Mr Obama will be hoping that once TV pictures of him addressing cheering crowds of Berliners have been beamed back to America it will boost his image as an international statesman, and his chances of beating Republican rival John McCain this autumn, our correspondent adds.
Mr Obama flew to Germany after visiting Israel and the West Bank and is due to visit France on Friday, then Britain on Saturday.Mr Obama flew to Germany after visiting Israel and the West Bank and is due to visit France on Friday, then Britain on Saturday.
Security is tight in Berlin, with one report that the hotel where Mr Obama is staying in Berlin was closed off after a suspicious package was found.Security is tight in Berlin, with one report that the hotel where Mr Obama is staying in Berlin was closed off after a suspicious package was found.
City of speechesCity of speeches
"I'm hoping to communicate across the Atlantic the value of [the] relationship [with Europe] and how we need to build on it," Mr Obama said before arriving."I'm hoping to communicate across the Atlantic the value of [the] relationship [with Europe] and how we need to build on it," Mr Obama said before arriving.
Climate change activists turned out for Mr Obama's visit Thousands turned out for the speech
"Obviously Berlin is representative of the extraordinary success of the post-World War II effort to bring the continent together and to bring the West together, and later to bring the East and the West together," he said."Obviously Berlin is representative of the extraordinary success of the post-World War II effort to bring the continent together and to bring the West together, and later to bring the East and the West together," he said.
"So I think it is a natural place to talk.""So I think it is a natural place to talk."
His evening speech is being shown live on German television from the Victory Column in the central Tiergarten Park.His evening speech is being shown live on German television from the Victory Column in the central Tiergarten Park.
Mr Obama met both Chancellor Merkel and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.Mr Obama met both Chancellor Merkel and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
His talks with Ms Merkel were "very open" and wide-ranging, her spokesman said after they met at her office.His talks with Ms Merkel were "very open" and wide-ranging, her spokesman said after they met at her office.
OBAMA'S POPULARITY Diary: Barack Obama's world tourJustin Webb's US election blogElection issues: Foreign policyIn pictures: Obama in BerlinOBAMA'S POPULARITY Diary: Barack Obama's world tourJustin Webb's US election blogElection issues: Foreign policyIn pictures: Obama in Berlin
A statement from Mr Obama's office said his talks with Ms Merkel and Mr Steinmeier had ranged from Iran's nuclear plans to climate change.A statement from Mr Obama's office said his talks with Ms Merkel and Mr Steinmeier had ranged from Iran's nuclear plans to climate change.
Ms Merkel reportedly blocked his campaign team's plans for him to deliver the address at the Brandenburg Gate, which stood behind the Berlin Wall for decades as a potent symbol of the Cold War.Ms Merkel reportedly blocked his campaign team's plans for him to deliver the address at the Brandenburg Gate, which stood behind the Berlin Wall for decades as a potent symbol of the Cold War.
The gate is where President Ronald Reagan famously urged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" in 1987.The gate is where President Ronald Reagan famously urged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" in 1987.
President John F Kennedy - to whom Mr Obama is sometimes compared - also visited the Gate in 1963, although his famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech was delivered elsewhere in the city.President John F Kennedy - to whom Mr Obama is sometimes compared - also visited the Gate in 1963, although his famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech was delivered elsewhere in the city.
On Friday, Mr Obama will meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris before wrapping up his tour in London by visiting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his predecessor, current international Middle East envoy Tony Blair.On Friday, Mr Obama will meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris before wrapping up his tour in London by visiting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his predecessor, current international Middle East envoy Tony Blair.
Mr Obama has also visited Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq and Jordan in the last few days.Mr Obama has also visited Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq and Jordan in the last few days.