Ten years later, after some reflection, I hope it isn't too self-serving to suggest that part of the reason things turned out the way they did, the reason the superpower struggle ended literally without a shot being fired, the reason the Wall came down and Germany was reunified in peace and democracy, was in large measure because the leaders on the scene knew one another and, I am sure Helmut Kohl would agree, the three of us respected one another. And, yes, as we have heard from the eloquent speakers that preceded me, it was the people in the streets who put the events into motion, not the leaders in Bonn, or Washington, or Moscow. But it ultimately fell to those of us in government to respond to the events as they happened and, where possible, help shape the final outcome. We didn't know. But it all worked out.
Today is a day for celebration, and what a marvelous day it is.
The adage says good things come to those who wait, and it is a special joy to share this special day with my former colleagues. Barbara and I understand how John Kennedy felt after his triumphant visit here in 1963. And I can tell you Barbara and I feel exactly that same way today. May God continue to bless this free, united, democratic Germany. Thank you very, very much.