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Obama looks to Europe as partner Obama seeks stronger Europe ties
(about 1 hour later)
White House hopeful Barack Obama has told Berliners the US and Europe have drifted apart and it is time for them to come together again. White House Democratic hopeful Barack Obama has told Berliners the US and Europe have drifted apart and it is time for them to come together again.
"If we're honest... we know that sometimes, on both sides of the Atlantic, we have drifted apart and forgotten our shared destiny," he said."If we're honest... we know that sometimes, on both sides of the Atlantic, we have drifted apart and forgotten our shared destiny," he said.
Thousands of people turned out to hear him make the only public speech of his current world tour.Thousands of people turned out to hear him make the only public speech of his current world tour.
His words were broadcast live in Germany, where he is a popular figure.His words were broadcast live in Germany, where he is a popular figure.
The burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together Barack Obama
He began the speech by paying tribute to the Berliners who held out against Soviet pressure during the blockade after World War II.He began the speech by paying tribute to the Berliners who held out against Soviet pressure during the blockade after World War II.
Appealing for a renewed partnership with Europe, he identified terrorism, nuclear proliferation, drugs and climate change as global challenges. Appealing for a renewed partnership with Europe, he identified terrorism, nuclear proliferation, trade barriers and climate change as global challenges.
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. Mr Obama's appearance had the air of a rock concert in the Tiergarten Park, a place that has become associated with huge feel-good football parties in recent years, the BBC's James Coomarasamy reports.
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. His rhetorical flights and unusual background have captured the imagination in a country which views its own politicians as rather dour and grey, our correspondent says.
'Intertwined world''Intertwined world'
"While the 20th Century taught us that we share a common destiny, the 21st has revealed a world more intertwined than at any time in human history," Mr Obama said."While the 20th Century taught us that we share a common destiny, the 21st has revealed a world more intertwined than at any time in human history," Mr Obama said.
The burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together Barack Obama Thousands turned out for the speech
"In Europe, the view that America is part of what has gone wrong in our world, rather than a force to help make it right, has become all too common," he continued."In Europe, the view that America is part of what has gone wrong in our world, rather than a force to help make it right, has become all too common," he continued.
"In America, there are voices that deride and deny the importance of Europe's role in our security and our future." "In America, there are voices that deride and deny the importance of Europe's role in our security and our future.
"But the burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together," he added."But the burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together," he added.
He said that partnership and co-operation among nations was "not a choice".He said that partnership and co-operation among nations was "not a choice".
"It is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity," he argued."It is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity," he argued.
The time had come, the Democratic contender said, to "defeat terror and dry up the well of extremism that supports it". He spoke on Afghanistan, a sensitive issue in Germany because of pressure for it to send more troops.
It was the moment, he said, to end the conflict in Iraq, to "renew the goal of a world without nuclear weapons" and to "come together to save this planet". Mr Obama said it was time to renew nations' resolve to "rout the terrorists who threaten our security in Afghanistan and the traffickers who sell drugs on your streets".
"The Afghan people need our troops and your troops... we have too much at stake to turn back now," he said.
Mr Obama addressed many key global issues in his speech:
  • He said it was time to "defeat terror and dry up the well of extremism that supports it", arguing that Islamic extremism could be defeated just as communism had been in its time
  • He urged support for the Iraqis rebuilding their lives as the US passes responsibility to the Iraqi government and "finally brings this war to a close"
  • It was the moment, he said, to "renew the goal of a world without nuclear weapons" and not "stand idly by and watch the further spread of the deadly atom"
  • He urged all countries to act with "the same seriousness of purpose" as Germany to reduce carbon emissions
  • He called for global trade "that is free and fair for all"
World tourWorld tour
Mr Obama kicked off the European leg of the Democrat's world tour ahead of November's US presidential election. Mr Obama's visit to Berlin kicked off the European leg of his world tour ahead of November's US presidential election.
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German Country and Western fans explain why they support Obama
Earlier, he met German leaders including Chancellor Angela Merkel.Earlier, he met German leaders including Chancellor Angela Merkel.
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. Most Germans seem to believe that an Obama victory in November would do much to improve relations between the US and Europe, our correspondent says.
His speech is being compared to those made in Berlin by John F Kennedy and Ronald Reagan - but they were sitting presidents.
For Barack Obama to become one himself, this event and the tour of which it is part must be seen in a positive light by the voters back home in America, our correspondent says.