press releases 2008

Excerpts from the President’s Remarks in Paris

June 13, 2008

We gather to commemorate a landmark moment in our alliance – the 60th anniversary of the start of the Marshall Plan. 
 
The Marshall Plan was the source of aid and assistance, and it wisely gave Europeans a leading role in reconstruction.  By doing so, the Plan conveyed a message of partnership and respect.  And by offering help to nations across Europe – including Communist nations – the Plan also had the effect of clarifying the new ideological struggle that was unfolding. 

When he announced the Plan, Secretary Marshall made clear it was “directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos.”  With these words, he showed that we stood for a future of unity, prosperity, and freedom throughout Europe. 

In the years since the Cold War ended, Europe has taken inspiring strides toward a continent whole, free, and at peace.  Over the past eight years, we have watched nations from the Baltics to the Balkans complete the transition from the Soviet bloc to the European Union. 

With these changes has come a revitalized relationship between Europe and America.  Instead of focusing on issues within Europe, we are increasingly looking to matters of global reach.  And instead of dwelling on our differences, we are increasingly united in our interests and ideals.  On my first trip abroad of my second term as President, I traveled to Brussels and called for “a new era of transatlantic unity.”  This week, I have seen the outlines of that new era.  In leaders like Berlusconi and Brown, Merkel and Sarkozy, I see a commitment to a powerful and purposeful Europe that advances the values of liberty within its borders, and beyond.  And when the time comes to welcome a new American President next January, I will be pleased to report to him that the relationship between the United States and Europe is the broadest and most vibrant it has ever been.

America and Europe are cooperating [on] trade and investment … energy security and climate change … development and prosperity … and protecting our citizens.

America and Europe are applying the tools of intelligence, finance, law enforcement, diplomacy, and – when necessary – military power to break up terror networks and deny them safe havens.

These measures are critical to success in the fight against terror.  Yet as in the Cold War, we must also prevail in a wider struggle – a battle of ideas.

The rise of free and prosperous societies in the broader Middle East is essential to peace in the 21st century, just as the rise of a free and prosperous Europe was essential to peace in the 20th century.  So Europe and America must stand with reformers, democratic leaders, and millions of ordinary people across the Middle East who seek a future of hope, liberty, and peace in Afghanistan … Lebanon … the Holy Land … Iran and Syria … and Iraq.

Since 2001, the freedom movement has been advancing in the Middle East. 

We need to help ensure this progress continues.  And the way to do so is by standing with civil society groups, human rights organizations, dissidents, independent journalists and bloggers, and others on the leading edge of reform. 

Spreading the hope of freedom is the calling of our time.  And as we look ahead to this great task, we can be guided by four key principles: unity, confidence, vision, and resolve.

We must go forward with unity. … Dividing democracies is one of our enemies’ goals – and they must not be allowed to succeed. 

We must go forward with confidence.  Our vision of freedom and peace in the Middle East and beyond is ambitious, and some say it will never arrive.  This is natural, but not new. 

We must go forward with a clear vision.  In the Cold War, we laid out a vision of liberty and trusted in its power to transform societies – and that transformation took place in ways almost no one foresaw. 

Finally, we must go forward with resolve.  In the years ahead, there will be periods of difficulty – yet history shows that freedom can endure even the harshest tests.

There are moments today when the situation in places like the Middle East can look as daunting as it did in Europe six decades ago.  Yet we can have confidence that liberty will once again prevail. 

We can have confidence because men and women in the Middle East and beyond are determined to claim their liberty – just as the people of Europe did in the last century.