About old friends and new beginnings
Gelegenheid: Toespraak bij een bijeenkomst van de gemeente Amsterdam en het Amerikaanse consulaat in Amsterdam ter gelegenheid van de viering van New York 400 en de inauguratie van President Obama(Toespraak bij een bijeenkomst van de gemeente Amsterdam en het Amerikaanse consulaat in Amsterdam ter gelegenheid van de viering van New York 400 en de inauguratie van President Obama)
I’m lost for words and full of emotion. I’m sure all of us share this right now. I was struck by a number of things in President Obama’s speech.
First of all of course, looking at it as a professional in foreign affairs, the fact that so much of his speech was on international affairs. So much of his speech was on America’s global responsibility and his willingness to accept that global responsibility. Many of the challenges we face, in the economy, in the environment, in the energy sector and also the global challenges to our security can only be met with an active America. An America that is willing to work closely with its allies. And I think his speech is an open invitation to the rest of the world, to Europe in the first place, to work closely with the new American administration.
Secondly, what struck me is his emphasis on values. Let me just quote one part of his speech, where he said: "Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us. Nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead they knew that our power grows through its prudent use: our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint." Isn’t this beautiful? I believe this should inspire all of us to rekindle this very special relationship across the Atlantic. With a people whose values we share. We will celebrate this especially this year, remembering 400 years of New York.
And at the same time, I really want to say that there is one nation on this earth with whom every citizen of the world has a personal relationship and that is the United States. And that has never been the case in the course of history. For the first time there is a nation everyone, wherever you go, has an opinion. Ask anyone something about America and they will have an opinion, for better and for worse. And it is important that we see this, because as long as this President is able to really rekindle the valued-based society, and the fact that this power emanates from convictions and values, will convince other citizens in the world to abandon their cynicism. About the US, about western values, about democracy. And that is why this inaugural speech was a wonderful attack on cynicism. The cynicism we need to leave behind, if we want to make a success of our societies. If we want to make a success of the transatlantic relationship.
All of you, all of us today will think back of our personal relationship with the US. For me this means the stories my mother told me about being liberated by American soldiers. At once recognising the different colour of their uniforms. The friendliness of the soldiers and their courage. What it means to me - and this is one of my first memories - seven years old when Senator Kennedy was murdered. In a way it really was a strong blow against our hopes for change. Another example of course is Margraten, near my home where I see these endless rows of white crosses of Americans who sacrificed everything to fight for our freedom. There are other examples, less positive, in the last couple of years. Guantanamo Bay is something that needs to be closed as soon as possible. This is a pledge made by President Obama and is something we are really looking forward to.
But at the end of the day, the most important thing now is that in this world that changes so quickly, we share so many values and so many convictions with America and with Americans, that this should be the basis on upon which we will build this world. And I truly hope that others will join us in the struggle and also abandon cynicism.
Thank you