[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 20 (Monday, May 18, 1998)]
[Pages 865-866]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to the People of Eisenach

May 14, 1998

    Thank you. Chancellor Kohl, President Vogel, Mayor Brodhum, to the 
people of Eisenach, especially to all of the young people who are here, 
thank you for making us feel so welcome.
    Now I have some idea of why Martin Luther called Eisenach ``my 
beloved city.'' And I have some sense of the spirit and independence 
that inspired Johann Sebastian Bach, who as a young composer 
experimented with counterpoint, annoying the elders of the church where 
he played the organ but thrilling everyone else in the world.
    As has already been said, after American soldiers arrived here at 
the end of the Second World War, one of their first acts was to issue an 
order to permit the rebuilding of the Bach House. I am still proud of 
that historic action by our forces.
    As you know, by previous agreement Eisenach was placed under control 
of Soviet forces, but our soldiers never forgot this wonderful city, and 
you never forgot what the feel of freedom was like.
    Just think, 15 years ago, how many of us would have thought that 
today, an American President and a German Chancellor could stand on this 
spot in a united Germany, in a uniting Europe?
    Thanks in no small measure to the leadership of your Chancellor, 
Germany today is one nation, in harmony with its neighbors, at the 
center of Europe's efforts to make the 21st century one of democracy, 
prosperity, and peace.
    I know that throughout the eastern lands, the efforts to unify and 
rebuild have not been easy. I know that sacrifices have been made. I 
know that still work must be done, but do not forget the great progress 
you have made in such a short time. And do not underestimate what you 
can do with your dreams as free people.
    We have just toured your General Motors Opel plant, established in 
1991. It is now a model for the entire world, with its technology, with 
strong worker participation in decisions, with innovative efforts to 
protect the environment. I am proud that American companies like GM have 
invested in your future. I want more of them to do it until every person 
in every part of Germany has a chance to live up to the fullest of his 
or her God-given abilities.
    As you march into the future, you have not forgotten your past. You 
honor Luther

[[Page 866]]

and Bach and teach the world of their gifts, and you honor America by 
recalling our role in your journey to freedom.
    As the Mayor said, you have a sister city in the United States in 
Waverly, Iowa. In your city hall there is a quilt handmade by women from 
Waverly, Iowa, most of them of German heritage, one of them 101 years 
old when she worked on the quilt. Through your darkest years, these 
long-lost German cousins of yours never lost faith that one day you 
would be free.
    On this beautiful Thuringian day in the spring, we are bathed in the 
light and the warmth of freedom. May it always shine across Germany, 
across this continent, across the world, and may you have every 
opportunity you have waited so long and are working so hard for.
    Thank you, and God bless you.

Note: The President spoke at 4:42 p.m. in Market Square. In his remarks, 
he referred to Minister President Bernhard Vogel of Thuringia; and Mayor 
Peter Brodhum of Eisenach.