Euro Notes: Barack, Berlin, and Bother

Obama is heading to Germany, and he may give a speech in front of the iconic Brandenburg Gate. This isn't only a pretty photo-op, though: there are some troublesome implications involved also:

It is just a matter of the appropriate backdrop. Negotiations are underway between the Obama advance team and the office of the Berlin Mayor, Klaus Wowereit, to hold the speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate, close to the line that traces the route of the Berlin Wall. The newly built US embassy nestles alongside. So too does a museum honouring John F. Kennedy. If, as expected, Mr Obama is going to deliver a phrase in German (the insider tip is: "I can listen!" — “ich kann zuhoeren!”) and fling out his arms in the direction of Russia and Central Europe, then this surely is the place.

But, say advisers to Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, it would be tantamount to giving the German stamp of approval to Mr Obama, an undue interference in the election campaign.

"The Brandenburg Gate is the best known and most historically significant site in Germany," said a Chancellery official, explaining why until now only elected presidents have been allowed to perform there.

Well, who knows?

But I have to comment on the supposed little German blurb: “ich kann zuhoeren!” Really? It all sounds like touchy-feely diplo-mush. Listening is all well and good. But it's also mainly passive. We need leaders to act and . . . well, LEAD. I'm also not entirely comfortable with the fetishization of listening in a diplo-world where everyone worships the great god Dialogue even when it doesn't work with rogue regimes.

As for the (scripted?) flinging of arms? Are you kidding me? That's the sort of nutty gesture I'd expect from trashy televangelists and media hucksters.

UPDATE: More here.