 Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. Mr. Governor Mayer, Mr. Chancellor, Excellencies, you ladies and gentlemen, it was one of Germany's greatest sons, Goethe, who said that there is strong shadow where there is much light. In our times, Berlin, more than any other place in the world, is such a meeting place of light and shadow, tyranny and freedom. To be here is truly to stand on freedom's edge and in the shadow of a wall that has come to symbolize all that is darkest in the world today. To sense how shining and priceless and how much in need of constant protection our legacy of liberty is. This day marks a happy return for us. We paid our first visit to this great city more than three years ago as private citizens. Mr. Governor, Mr. Chancellor, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it was one of the greatest sons of Germany, Goethe, who said that there is strong shadow where there is much light. In our times, Berlin is more than any other place in the world, such a meeting place of light and shadow, tyranny and freedom. To be here in Berlin is truly to stand on freedom's edge and in the shadow of a wall that has come to symbolize the darkest shadow in the world and to sense how shining and priceless our legacy of freedom is and how much in need of constant alertness and constant protection. This day marks a happy return for me. We paid our first visit to this great city three years ago as private citizens. As with every other citizen to Berlin or visitor to Berlin, I came away with a vivid impression of a city that is more than a place on the map, a city that is a testament to what is both most inspiring and most troubling about the time we live in. Thomas Mann once wrote that a man lives not only his personal life as an individual but also consciously or unconsciously the life of his epoch. Nowhere is this more true than in Berlin where each moment of everyday life is spent against the backdrop of contending global systems and ideas. To be a Berliner is to live the great historic struggle of this age, the latest chapter in man's timeless quest for freedom. As Americans, we understand this. Our commitment to Berlin is a lasting one. Thousands of our citizens have served here since the first small contingent of American troops arrived on July 1st. In Berlin, many of our citizens have served here since the first small contingent of American troops arrived on July 4th, 1945, the anniversary of our independence as a nation. Americans have served here ever since, not as conquerors but as guardians of the freedom of West Berlin and its brave proud people. As Americans, we understand this. Our commitment to Berlin is a lasting commitment. We understand this. Thousands of our citizens have served here since the first small contingent of American troops arrived on July 4th, 1945, the anniversary of our independence as a nation. We have served here ever since, not as conquerors but as guardians of the freedom of West Berlin and its brave proud people. Today I want to pay tribute to my fellow countrymen, military and civilian who serve their country and the people of Berlin and in so doing stand as sentinels of freedom everywhere. I also wish to pay my personal respect to the people of this great city. My visit here today is proof that this American commitment has been worthwhile. Our freedom is indivisible. The American commitment to Berlin is much deeper than our military presence here. In the 37 years since World War II, the succession of American presidents has made it clear that our role in Berlin is emblematic of our larger search for peace throughout Europe and the world. Ten years ago this month, that search brought into force the Quadrapreitart Agreement on Berlin. A decade later, West Berliners live more securely, can travel more freely and most significantly have more contact with friends than East Berlin and East Germany than was possible ten years ago. These achievements reflect the realistic approach of allied negotiators who recognize that practical progress can be made even while basic differences remain between East and West. The American commitment has been worthwhile. Our freedom is indivisible. The American commitment is much deeper than our military presence. In the 37 years since World War II, American presidents have made it clear that our role in Berlin is emblematic of our entire search for peace throughout Europe and the world. This month has been ten years since this struggle to bring into force the Quadrapreitart Agreement on Berlin. A decade later West Berliners live more securely, can travel freely and have what is more important more contact with friends and relatives of East Berlin and East Germany than was possible ten years ago. These results reflect the realistic attitude of allied negotiators who recognize that practical progress can be achieved even if basic differences remain between East and West. As a result both sides have managed to handle their differences in Berlin without the clash of arms to the benefit of all mankind. The United States remains committed to the Berlin Agreement. We will continue to expect strict observance and full implementation in all aspects of this accord including those which apply to the Eastern sector of Berlin. But if we are heartened by the partial progress achieved in Berlin other developments make us aware of the growing military power and expansionism of the Soviet Union. Instead of working with the West to reduce tensions and reduce the danger of war the Soviet Union is engaged in the greatest military buildup in the history of the world. It has used its newfound might to ruthlessly pursue its goals around the world. As a result both sides have managed to handle their differences in Berlin without the clash of arms to the benefit of all mankind. The United States remains committed to the Berlin Agreement. We will continue to expect strict observance and full implementation of all aspects of this accord including those which apply to the Eastern sector of Berlin. Although we are heartened by the partial progress achieved in Berlin other developments of the increasing military power and expansionism of the Soviet Union make us aware of this. Instead of working with the West to reduce tensions to reduce the danger of war the Soviet Union has the greatest military buildup in the history of the world. It has used its newfound might to ruthlessly pursue its goals around the world. The United Nations Charter and only one day's auto ride from here in the great city of Warsaw a courageous people suffer because they dared to strive for the very fundamental human rights which that Helsinki Final Act proclaimed. The citizens the citizens of free Berlin appreciate better than anyone the importance of allied unity in the face of such challenges 10 years after the Berlin Agreement the hope it engendered for lasting peace remains a hope rather than a certainty but the hopes of free people be they German or American are stubborn things. The United Nations Charter and only one day's auto ride from here in the great city of Warsaw a courageous people suffer because they dared to strive for the very fundamental human rights which that Helsinki Final Act proclaimed. The citizens of free Berlin appreciate the importance of allied unity in the face of such challenges and the importance of allied unity in the face of such challenges 10 years after the Berlin Agreement the hope it engendered for lasting peace remains a hope rather than a certainty but the hopes of free people be they German or American are very stubborn things. For just and lasting peace can be made that substantial areas of agreement can be reached with potential adversaries when the forces of freedom act with firmness, unity and a sincere willingness to negotiate. To succeed at the negotiating table we allies have learned that a healthy military balance is a necessity. Yesterday the other NATO heads of government agreed that it is essential to preserve and strengthen such a military balance and let there be no doubt the United States will continue to honor its commitment to Berlin. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Our forces our forces will remain here as long as necessary to preserve the peace and protect the freedom of the people of Berlin. For us the American presence in Berlin as long as it is needed is not a burden it is not a burden it is a burden it is a burden it is a burden it is not a burden it is a sacred trust ours is a defensive mission we pose no threat to those who live on the other side of the wall but we do extend a challenge a new Berlin initiative to the leaders of the Soviet block it is a challenge for peace we challenge the men in the Kremlin to join with us in the quest for peace, security and a lowering of the tensions and weaponry that could lead to future conflict we challenge the Soviet Union as we proposed last year to eliminate their SS-20 SS-4 and SS-5 missiles if Chairman Brezhnev agrees to this we stand ready to forego all of our ground-launched cruise missiles and Pershing-2 missiles. Our fighting forces will remain here as long as necessary to keep peace and to protect the freedom of the people of Berlin. For us, the American presence in Berlin as long as it is necessary is not a burden but an irreversible obligation our mission here is a defense mission we do not pose any threat to those who live on the other side I want to lead the Soviet blocs to challenge something a new Berlin initiative it is a challenge to peace we challenge them to join us in our efforts to make peace, security and lowering of tensions and the weapons that could lead to future conflict we challenge the we demand the Soviet Union to stop their SS-20 SS-4 and SS-5 missiles if President Brezhnev agrees we are ready to stop our ground-launched cruise missiles and Pershing-2 missiles we challenge the Soviet Union as NATO proposed yesterday to slash the conventional ground forces of the Warsaw Pact and NATO in Central Europe to 700,000 men each and the total ground and air forces of the two alliances to 900,000 men each and we challenge the Soviet Union to live up to its signature its leader placed on the Helsinki Treaty so that the basic human rights of Soviet and Eastern European people will be respected a positive response to these sincere and reasonable points from the Soviet these calls for conciliation instead of confrontation could open the door for a conference on disarmament in Europe and we are ready to stop our ground-launched cruise missiles as NATO proposed yesterday to slash the conventional ground and air forces of the two alliances to 900,000 men each and we challenge the Soviet Union to live up to its signature of the Helsinki Treaty so that the basic human rights of the Soviet people and Eastern European people will be respected a positive response instead of confrontation could open the door for a conference on disarmament in Europe we expect that the response to my Berlin initiative for peace will demonstrate finally that the Soviet Union is serious about working to reduce tensions in other parts of the world as they have been able to do here in Berlin peace it has been said is more than the absence of armed conflict reducing military forces alone will not automatically guarantee the long-term prospects for peace we Americans are optimists but we are also realists we are peaceful people but weak or easy I believe we are not so we see with hope the answer of the Soviet Union but we expect positive actions not just words as first proven good views of the Soviets we expect that the answer to my Berlin peace initiative will finally demonstrate that the Soviet Union is serious about working to reduce tensions in other parts of the world as it has been able to do here in Berlin peace it has been said is more than the absence of armed conflict reducing military forces alone will not automatically guarantee the long-term prospects for peace several times in the 1950s and 60s the world went to the brink of war over Berlin those confrontations did not come because of military forces or operations alone they arose because the Soviet Union refused to allow the free flow of peoples and ideas between east and west and they came because the Soviet authorities repressed millions of citizens in eastern Germany who did not wish to live under a communist dictatorship so I want to concentrate the second part of America's new Berlin initiative on ways to reduce the human barriers barriers as bleak and brutal as the Berlin wall itself which divide Europe today in the 1950s and 60s the world went to the brink of war over Berlin those confrontations did not come because of military forces or operations alone they arose because the Soviet Union refused to allow the free flow of peoples and ideas between east and west and they came because the Soviet authorities repressed millions of citizens in eastern Germany who did not wish to live under a communist dictatorship so I want to focus on the second part of the new Berlin initiative America's on means and ways to reduce the human barriers barriers as bleak and brutal as the Berlin wall itself which divide Europe today if if I had only one message to urge on the leaders it would be this think of your own coming generations look with me 10 years into the future when we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Berlin agreement what then will be the fruits of our efforts do the Soviet leaders want to be remembered for a prison wall ringed with barbed wire and armed guards whose weapons are aimed at innocent civilians their own civilians do they want to conduct themselves in a way that will earn only the contempt of free peoples and the distrust of their own citizens or do they want to be remembered for having taken up our offer to use Berlin as a starting point for true efforts to reduce the human and political divisions which are the ultimate cause of every war if I had only one message to urge on the leaders it would be this think of your own coming generations look with me 10 years into the future when we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Berlin agreement what then will be the fruits of our efforts what do the Soviet leaders want to see when they think a prison wall ringed with barbed wire and armed guards whose weapons are aimed at innocent civilians their own citizens do they want to conduct themselves in a way that will earn only the contempt of free peoples and the distrust of their own citizens or do they want to be remembered for having taken up our offer to use Berlin as a starting point for true efforts to reduce the human and political divisions which are the ultimate cause of every war we in the west have made our choice America and our allies welcome peaceful competition in ideas, in economics and in all facets of human activity we seek no advantage we covet no territory and we wish to force no ideology or way of life on others the time has come 10 years after the Berlin agreement to fulfill the promise it seemed to offer at its dawn I call on general President Brezhnev to join me in a sincere effort to translate the dashed hopes of the 1970s into the reality of a safer and freer Europe in the 1980s I am determined to assure that our civilization averts the catastrophe of a nuclear war we in the west have made our choice America and its allies offer to join me I call on general President Brezhnev to join me in a sincere effort to translate the dashed hopes of the 1970s into the reality of a safer and freer Europe in the 1980s I am determined to do everything possible our civilization the catastrophe of a nuclear war to save stability stability depends primarily on the maintenance of a military balance which offers no temptation to an aggressor and the arms control proposals which I have made are designed to enhance deterrence and achieve stability at substantially lower and equal force levels at the same time that might be negotiated between the United States and the Soviet Union to reinforce the peace and help reduce the possibility of a nuclear conflict these include measures to enhance mutual confidence and to improve communication both in time of peace and in a crisis past agreements have created the hotline between Moscow and Washington established measures to reduce the danger of nuclear accidents and provided for notification of some missile launches we are now studying other concrete and practical steps to help further reduce the risk of a nuclear conflict which I intend to explore with the Soviet Union it is time we went further to avert the risk of war through accident or misunderstanding stability depends primarily on the maintenance of a military balance which does not lead to an aggressor in an attempt and the control proposals which I have made to enhance deterrence and to achieve stability at a considerably lower and equal level of combat at the same time could be negotiated between the United States and the Soviet Union to strengthen peace and to reduce the possibility of war also measures to increase the trust and to improve communication both in peace and in war past agreements have created the hotline between Moscow and Washington measures to reduce the danger of a nuclear war unforeseen attack and provided for notification of certain missiles We are now testing other concrete and practical steps to contribute to a further reduction of the risk of a nuclear conflict. I have been following this with the Soviet Union. And it is still time to take further steps to turn the risk of a war out of coincidence or misunderstandings. We shortly will approach the Soviet Union with proposals in such areas as notification of strategic exercises, of missile launches, and expanded exchange of strategic forces data. Taken together, these steps would represent a qualitative improvement in the nuclear environment. They would help reduce the chances of misinterpretation in the case of exercises and test launches, and they would reduce the secrecy and ambiguity which surround military activity. We are considering additional measures as well. We will be making these proposals in good faith to the Soviet Union. We hope that their response to this Berlin initiative, so appropriate to a city that is acutely conscious of the costs and risks of war, will be positive. A united, resolute Western alliance stands ready to defend itself if necessary. But we are also ready to work with the Soviet bloc in peaceful cooperation if the leaders of the East are willing to respond in kind. We will be making these proposals in good faith to the Soviet Union. We hope that their response to this Berlin initiative, so appropriate to a city that is acutely conscious of the costs and risks of war, will be positive. Let them remember the message of Schiller, that only he who has done his best for his own time has lived for all times. Let them join with us in our time to achieve a lasting peace and a better life for tomorrow's generations on both sides of that blighted wall. And let the Brandenburg Gate become a symbol not of two separate and hostile worlds, but an open door through which ideas, free ideas, and peaceful competition flourish. My final message is for the people of Berlin. Even before my first visit to your city, I felt a part of you as all free men and women around the world do. We live through the blockade and airlift with you. We witness the heroic reconstruction of a devastated city. And we watch the creation of your strong democratic institutions. I must remember the other side of the words of Schiller, because he who has done his best for his own time has lived for all times. Let them join with us in our time to achieve a lasting peace and a better life for the generations of tomorrow on both sides of that blighted wall. And let the Brandenburg Gate become a symbol not of two separate and hostile worlds, but an open door through which free ideas and peaceful competition flourish. Finally, I would like to turn to the people of Berlin. Even before my first visit to your city, I felt a part of you as all free women and men around the world. We lived through the blockade and airlift with you. We experienced the heroic reconstruction of a devastated city. We saw how you created strong and democratic institutions. Today, my reverence for your courage and accomplishment has grown even deeper. You are a constant inspiration for us all, for our hopes and ideals, and for the human qualities of courage, endurance, and faith that are the one secret weapon of the West no totalitarian regime can ever match. As long as Berlin exists, there can be no doubt about the hope for democracy. Yes, the hated wall still stands. But taller and stronger than that bleak barrier dividing east from west, free from oppressed, stands the character of the Berliners themselves. You have endured in your splendid city on the spree, and my return visit has convinced me in the words of the beloved old song that Berlin bleibt doch Berlin. Berlin is still Berlin. We all remember John Kennedy's stirring words when he visited Berlin. I can only add that we in America and in the West are still Berliners too, and always will be, and I am proud to say today that it is good to be home again. When I came here in 1978, I was deeply moved and proud of your success. Which better proofs can there be that freedom can fill than the pulsating, blooming islands that you have created in the middle of an enemy sea? Today my admiration for your courage and your achievement has grown even bigger. You are all a constant inspiration for us all, for our hopes and ideals and for the human properties of courage, of firmness and of faith, which are the only secret weapon of the West, which in no totalitarian regime can counter something equal. As long as Berlin exists, as long as Berlin exists, there is no doubt in the hope for democracy. For sure, the lost wall is still there. But on this side, there is something that is overflowing this powerless wall, which separates the East from the West and the oppressed from the free. Something that is stronger, namely the character of Berlin. You have held on to the spread in your great city, and my new visit has convinced me how it is in the words of the popular old song, Berlin remains Berlin. We all remember the moving words of John F. Kennedy as he visited Berlin. I can only add that we in America and in the West are still Berliners and will always remain. And I say this with pride, it is beautiful to feel at home again today. God bless you. Thank you. God bless you all and I thank you.