Statement
by H.E. Wolfgang Ischinger, Ambassador of Germany,
on signing the "Joint Declaration of Agreement between
the Government of the United States of America and
the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany
concerning the protection and preservation of places of commemoration"
Washington, May 19, 2003
The Joint Declaration which we just signed reaffirms our desire to continue working together on the preservation of cultural sites. I am happy to say that many projects have already been successfully implemented. This is due in no small measure to the initiatives of dedicated individuals like Chairman Warren Miller.
Our declaration today pays tribute to past and ongoing efforts. In particular, it underscores the value our governments place on private initiatives.
The preservation of memorial sites is of special importance to me personally. First, we want to commemorate the victims of genocide as well as those who gave their lives to stop the Nazi evil. At the same time, the sites serve as a reminder of the atrocities committed by the Nazi dictatorship, something we must never forget and will not forget. Finally, we want to ensure that future generations understand and accept their responsibility to ensure such atrocities can never happen again.
Joschka Fischer, the German Foreign Minister, expressed an important point as follows: "Germany cannot separate itself from its history, cannot leave behind, cannot forget it. It is our history. We have no other. And responsibility for Auschwitz, for the genocide against German and European Jews, that horrific crime against humanity, is forever part of our history. German democracy has accepted this historical and moral responsibility."
Ladies and gentlemen,
An important measure of our ability to become an open and tolerant society are the Jewish communities in Germany today. We are pleased that Berlin today is the European city with the fastest growing Jewish community.
To acknowledge the important contributions of the Central Council of Jews in Germany regarding social, political and cultural integration efforts, the German Chancellor on Jan 27, on Holocaust Memorial Day, approved a measure giving the Central Council the same legal standing in Germany as the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches, and increasing federal funding to the Council from 1 to 3 million EURO per year.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those in our midst who are actively involved in the many exchange programs for scholars, young professionals, teachers, and Jewish leaders between our two countries. Their interest and dedication keeps our common history alive, and encourages us to pursue our close partnership in the future.
Just a few days ago, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage welcomed delegates from 20 countries to a conference of the Holocaust Education Task Force. I fully agree with his words: " … education, research and remembrance …. are absolutely necessary for a new generation if we are to have critical thinkers and those courageous actors who will leave a different legacy for this new century".
Thank you for your patience and for joining us today to celebrate the signing of this joint declaration.
