Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
323150475
label
Meeting with German Youth, Bonn, 5/18/89
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
323150475
contentType
document
title
Meeting with German Youth, Bonn, 5/18/89
citationUrl
identifierLocal
13487-007
collections
Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Draft Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
323150475
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
4362f07c474c8ed0
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13487
Folder ID Number:
13487-007
Folder Title:
Meet ing with German Youth, Bonn, 5/18/89
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
25
6
2
7
TALKING POINTS: MEETING WITH GERMAN YOUTH
RESIDENCE OF DR. SUESSMUTH
BONN, WEST GERMANY
0
THANK YOU, DR. SUESSMUTH ((S00S-MOOT)) AND GUTEN
TAG. (GOOD DAY.) ((GOOT-EN TAHG.))
0
I APPRECIATE YOUR KIND INVITATION TO YOUR HOME
TODAY, FOR IT REMINDS US THAT HOME AND FAMILY LIE
AT THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES, NO MATTER WHAT
NATIONALITY WE ARE.
- 2 -
0
DR. SUESSMUTH, I HAD HEARD HOW POPULAR YOU WERE
WITH GERMAN YOUNG PEOPLE, AND I THINK I UNDERSTAND
WHY. I AM IMPRESSED BY HOW CONCERNED YOU ARE FOR
THEM, AND BY WHAT YOUR COUNTRY DOES FOR YOUTH.
- 3 -
o
I'M CONCERNED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TOO. THE MOST
IMPORTANT EFFORTS OF MY ADMINISTRATION ARE THOSE
DIRECTED AT OUR YOUTH -- TO IMPROVE EDUCATION AT
ALL LEVELS, TO ERADICATE DRUG USE, TO URGE YOUNG
PEOPLE TO USE THEIR ENERGIES FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE.
- 4 -
0
GERMAN-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP IS IMPORTANT, AND THE
PEACE AND PROSPERITY WE ENJOY TODAY ARE ITS FRUITS.
IT IS YOUTH, MOST OF ALL, WHO CAN CARRY ON THE
CONTINUING BUSINESS OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN OUR
COUNTRIES.
- 5 -
0
I HAVE JUST COME FROM SPEAKING WITH CHANCELLOR
Конц. HE IS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING THE
FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR TWO
COUNTRIES, AND HE IS TAKING IMPORTANT INITIATIVES
TO DEVELOP GERMAN-AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL AND YOUTH
EXCHANGES STILL FURTHER.
- 6 -
0
AND I KNOW, DR. SUESSMUTH, THAT THE BUNDESTAG
( (BOON-DES-STAHG)) IS JUST AS CONCERNED. IT HAS
PROVED THIS BY MAKING NEW OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
FOR YOUNG GERMANS TO STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES,
AND BY ITS GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE CONGRESS-
BUNDESTAG YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
- 7 -
0
CONTINUING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES
MEANS MORE THAN JUST TALKING ABOUT IT. IT MEANS
LISTENING, TOO. So NOW I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU:
((STILL TENTATIVE: THERE MAY BE SEVERAL YOUNG
PEOPLE PRESENT WHO HAVE EMIGRATED FROM EAST GERMANY
TO THE WEST. You MAY WISH TO ASK THEM ABOUT THEIR
EXPERIENCES.))
- 8 -
As EXCHANGE STUDENTS, I BELIEVE MOST OF YOU HAVE NOW
SPENT TIME IN BOTH GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES. How
DO YOU VIEW THE RELATIONS BETWEEN OUR NATIONS? WHAT
WAYS CAN YOU SUGGEST TO STRENGTHEN OUR FRIENDSHIP?
((STRESS THE VALUE OF EXCHANGE PROGRAMS AND CULTURAL
TIES))
WHAT ISSUES DO YOU THINK ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO BOTH
GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES AS ALLIES?
- 9 -
((THEY MAY DISCUSS ARMS REDUCTION AND GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, SUCH AS HAZARDOUS WASTES, OZONE
LAYER/GREENHOUSE, AND CLEAN AIR AND WATER))
IN THE DIFFERENT NATIONS OF THE WORLD, WHAT ROLE DO YOU
THINK YOUTH CAN PLAY AS WE WORK FOR PEACE AND
DEMOCRACY?
- 10 -
((HIGHLIGHT THE ROLE OF YOUNG PEOPLE AS FUTURE
DIPLOMATS, JOURNALISTS, AND WORLD LEADERS; CAPACITY OF
STUDENTS TO LEAD FORCES FOR CHANGE IN MANY NATIONS))
BEFORE LEAVING THE SESSION: AUFWIEDERSEHEN! (OFF-VEE-
DER-ZANE).
###
TALKING POINTS: MEETING WITH GERMAN YOUTH
RESIDENCE OF DR. SUESSMUTH
BONN, WEST GERMANY
o
THANK YOU, DR. SUESSMUTH ((S00S-MOOT)) AND GUTEN
TAG. (Good DAY.) ((GOOT-EN TAHG.))
0
I APPRECIATE YOUR KIND INVITATION TO YOUR HOME
TODAY, FOR IT REMINDS US THAT HOME AND FAMILY LIE
AT THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES, NO MATTER WHAT
NATIONALITY WE ARE.
- 2 -
0
DR. SUESSMUTH, I HAD HEARD HOW POPULAR YOU WERE
WITH GERMAN YOUNG PEOPLE, AND I THINK I UNDERSTAND
WHY. I AM IMPRESSED BY HOW CONCERNED YOU ARE FOR
THEM, AND BY WHAT YOUR COUNTRY DOES FOR YOUTH.
- 3 -
0
I'M CONCERNED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TOO. THE MOST
IMPORTANT EFFORTS OF MY ADMINISTRATION ARE THOSE
DIRECTED AT OUR YOUTH -- TO IMPROVE EDUCATION AT
ALL LEVELS, TO ERADICATE DRUG USE, TO URGE YOUNG
PEOPLE TO USE THEIR ENERGIES FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE.
- 4 -
0
GERMAN-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP IS IMPORTANT, AND THE
PEACE AND PROSPERITY WE ENJOY TODAY ARE ITS FRUITS.
IT IS YOUTH, MOST OF ALL, WHO CAN CARRY ON THE
CONTINUING BUSINESS OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN OUR
COUNTRIES.
- 5 -
0
I HAVE JUST COME FROM SPEAKING WITH CHANCELLOR
Конь. HE IS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING THE
FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR TWO
COUNTRIES, AND HE IS TAKING IMPORTANT INITIATIVES
TO DEVELOP GERMAN-AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL AND YOUTH
EXCHANGES STILL FURTHER.
- 6 -
0 AND I KNOW, DR. SUESSMUTH, THAT THE BUNDESTAG
((BOON-DES-STAHG)) IS JUST AS CONCERNED. IT HAS
PROVED THIS BY MAKING NEW OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
FOR YOUNG GERMANS TO STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES,
AND BY ITS GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE CONGRESS-
BUNDESTAG YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
- 7 -
0
CONTINUING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES
MEANS MORE THAN JUST TALKING ABOUT IT. IT MEANS
LISTENING, TOO. So NOW I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU:
((STILL TENTATIVE: THERE MAY BE SEVERAL YOUNG
PEOPLE PRESENT WHO HAVE EMIGRATED FROM EAST GERMANY
TO THE WEST. You MAY WISH TO ASK THEM ABOUT THEIR
EXPERIENCES.))
- 8 -
As EXCHANGE STUDENTS, I BELIEVE MOST OF YOU HAVE NOW
SPENT TIME IN BOTH GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES. How
DO YOU VIEW THE RELATIONS BETWEEN OUR NATIONS? WHAT
WAYS CAN YOU SUGGEST TO STRENGTHEN OUR FRIENDSHIP?
((STRESS THE VALUE OF EXCHANGE PROGRAMS AND CULTURAL
TIES))
WHAT ISSUES DO YOU THINK ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO BOTH
GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES AS ALLIES?
- 9 -
((THEY MAY DISCUSS ARMS REDUCTION AND GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, SUCH AS HAZARDOUS WASTES, OZONE
LAYER/GREENHOUSE, AND CLEAN AIR AND WATER))
IN THE DIFFERENT NATIONS OF THE WORLD, WHAT ROLE DO YOU
THINK YOUTH CAN PLAY AS WE WORK FOR PEACE AND
DEMOCRACY?
- 10 -
((HIGHLIGHT THE ROLE OF YOUNG PEOPLE AS FUTURE
DIPLOMATS, JOURNALISTS, AND WORLD LEADERS; CAPACITY OF
STUDENTS TO LEAD FORCES FOR CHANGE IN MANY NATIONS))
BEFORE LEAVING THE SESSION: AUFWIEDERSEHEN! (OFF-VEE-
DER-ZANE).
###
Chriss, lile
delivered to DD, we have
This was hand
no idea who from. DD
Thank (Good said send to you.
SB
I appreciate your kind invitation to your home today, for it
reminds us that home and family lie at the center of our
lives, no matter what nationality we are.
Dr. Suessmuth, I had heard how popular you were with German
young people, and I think I understand why. I am impressed
by how concerned you are for them, and by what your country
does for youth.
I'm concerned for young people too. The most important
efforts of my Administration are those directed at our youth
-- to improve education at all levels, to eradicate drug
use, to urge young people to use their energies for
community service.
German-American friendship is important, and the peace and
prosperity we enjoy today are its fruits. It is youth, most
of all, who can carry on the continuing business of
friendship between our countries.
I have just come from speaking with Chancellor Kohl. He is
committed to maintaining the friendship between young people
in our two countries, and he is taking important initiatives
to develop German-American educational and youth exchanges
still further.
And I know, Dr. Suessmuth, that the Bundestag ( (BOON-des-
stahg) ) is just as concerned. It has proved this by making
new opportunities available for young Germans to study in
the United States, and by its generous support of the
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program.
Continuing the friendship between our countries means more
than just talking about it. It means listening, too. So
now I'd like to hear from you:
( (Still tentative: There may be several young people present who
have emigrated from East Germany to the West. You may wish to
ask them about their experiences. ))
As exchange students, I believe most of you have now spent time
in both Germany and the United States. How do you view the
relations between our nations? What ways can you suggest to
strengthen our friendship? ((Stress the value of exchange
programs and cultural ties) )
What issues do you think are most important to both Germany and
the United States as allies?
( (They may discuss arms reduction and global environmental
concerns, such as hazardous wastes, ozone layer/greenhouse, and
clean air and water) )
In the different nations of the world, what role do you think
youth can play as we work for peace and democracy?
( (Highlight the role of young people as future diplomats,
journalists, and world leaders; capacity of students to lead
forces for change in many nations) )
Before leaving the session: Aufwiedersehen! (Off-VEE-der-zane) .
###
Possible Text of President's Remarks to German Youth
A warm welcome, such as you have given me, deserves an
equally warm and friendly feeling from me. Let me say I bring
this feeling from the people of the United States to the people
of Germany. I do not come here today to talk of the past 40
years as partners in NATO. Although I should, I do not come
with overwhelming memories of the Marshall Plan although I
could. I come to talk of the future for Germany, Europe, our
country The United States, and yes this future very much
includes the Soviet Union, The Eastern Bloc countries, and, of
course, China, Asia and ultimately our whole beautiful planet
Earth.
I've been President of the United States for less than 4
months and have been watching parts of the world go through
changes no one, myself included, could have expected even one
year ago. In exactly the same way that I spoke to my fellow
Americans about wanting to create a kinder and gentler U.S.A., I
have as my short, medium and long-term objective to help create
a kinder and gentler world where human freedom can develop and
grow. It is human nature of men and women to want freedom and
to be free; to choose their own religion; to choose their place
to live; free to choose their political representatives; and
with a system of law that is free from intimidation by the
state. I am talking about the inalienable rights of people
versus the inalienable right of states!
-2-
Today the people of the United States and Western Europe
share these values but throughout the less free parts of the
world millions of young people and people my age as well are
shouting, praying, parading, marching and singing for more
freedom.
Here in Germany and in many parts of Europe as well, the
United States of America has been stationing many of its Army,
Navy and Air Force military personnel and nearly 500,000 of
their family members. We have had one purpose in doing this
ever since the end of World War II. The purpose, very simply,
was to show our commitment to help defend Europe if ever a
military threat was made by the Soviet Union. We've seen the
dark night of a long cold war; we know it's cost and we know
that the Soviet Union knows that cost as well.
Containment has worked. Sustained Western political,
military, economic -- and spiritual -- strength have led the
Soviet Union to begin to look inward and ask some fundamental
questions about why it is falling behind.
We all hear and applaud the words of Chairman Gorbachev
because these are Western concepts - words that speak of
openness, words that speak of freedom, words that speak of arms
cuts. We must, I believe, encourage Soviet leadership -- and
help them achieve real, enduring openness and human rights.
18
-3-
Yet we remain troubled by the still-present disparity
between words and deeds and the unfulfilled promise of change
-- the offers of modest unilateral arms reductions, obscuring
the great preponderance of Soviet conventional and short-range
nuclear forces in Europe. We -- you and I -- should not forget
that NATO has without fanfare reduced great numbers of
short-range nuclear weapons. Nor can the its neighbors overlook
the sale of aggressive air force bombers to Libya, an
international outlaw and still a threat to civilized countries.
And we all ought to remain concerned about the fulfillment of
the dream of a more open, more democratic Soviet Union, witness
the suffering of demonstrators for freedom in Georgia.
When it comes to maintaining the peace in Europe NATO must
not therefore be pressured into premature positions or lulled
into a false sense of security.
When it comes to planning for the future I pledge to all
of America's friends, those who are allies today, as well as
those who will be our friends tomorrow, that our aims are your
aims, peace today - peace and properity tomorrow and freedom for
all.
I know quite directly what war is all about and I hate
it. I may well be the last American President who has actually
known combat duty in World War II, and want somehow for the
19
-4-
legacy of that experience -- abhorrence of war and the ambitions
of unchecked dictators that lead to war -- to be passed on to
younger generations. My grandchildren and your grandchildren
can be spared this plague if we plan for the future, today, by
keeping those elements of the past that have worked, modifying
these actions that are out of date and building in the new
initiatives that fit the future.
There is a new United States at work in the world today.
It has a new sound to its voice and a new look to its actions.
It is an America that sees a world of partners; it is an America
that rejoices in the worldwide surge for freedom and democracy;
it is a United States of America made up of all the people of
this world - every race and virtually every nationality. There
are almost as many German-Americans in the United States as
there are West Germans; almost as many Anglo-Americans as live
in England; yes, and there are millions of Russian, Polish,
Hungarian, Scandanavian Americans as well. We are in large
measure the United States of Europe and share with you the love
of home and family and friendship. We are not the America
featured in sensational television and movies. And the United
States is not American history when the liberty of our native
Indian population was suppressed.
20
-5-
Chief Joseph the patriarch of the Nez Perce tribe, who was
never subdued, said it best for all time. Listen to his words:
"All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all
brothers. The Earth is the mother of all people and all people
should have equal rights upon it. You might as well expect the
rivers to run backward as that any man who was born a free man
should be contented when penned up and denied liberty to go
where he pleases." I hope, however, you will forgive us for
everlastingly trying to make our system fairer, stronger and now
gentler.
Document 1059M 5/23/89