January 18, 1993
The Chancellor's [Helmut Kohl's] Telephone Conversation with the President of the United States of America, George Bush, on 18 January 1993
Abteilungsleiter 2 Bonn, den 18. Januar 1993
Vermerk
Betr.: Telefongespräch des Herrn Bundeskanzlers mit dem Präsidenten der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika, George Bush, am 18. Januar 1993[1]
Der Bundeskanzler erklärt, er wolle Präsident Bush auch auf diesem Wege seinen Dank für alles auszusprechen, was er für uns Deutsche getan habe. Er habe geschrieben, wolle dies aber noch einmal persönlich zum Ausdruck bringen. Er bitte den Präsidenten ferner, dies auch AM Baker und seiner Frau auszurichten. Wenn er in die USA reise, würde er sich freuen, mit dem Präsidenten zusammenzutreffen.
Der Präsident habe allen Grund, voller Genugtuung und Stolz auf seine Zeit zurückzublicken. Wenige Amerikaner hätten soviel für ihr Land getan, wie der Präsident. Ihm sei ein Platz in der Geschichte sicher.
Präsident Bush erwidert, er sei sehr gerührt, daß der Herr Bundeskanzler nochmals angerufen habe. Er habe sehr gerne mit dem Bundeskanzler zusammengearbeitet. Er sei zur Zeit in Camp David und werde dann über Washington nach Texas fliegen. Auch er würde sich freuen, den Herrn Bundeskanzler wiederzusehen. Der Bundeskanzler wirft ein, er würde es begrüßen, wenn der Präsident in absehbarer Zeit nach Deutschland käme.
Präsident Bush erwidert, er werde dies gern tun, wenn sich die Gelegenheit ergebe. Man könne dann Erinnerungen austauschen über die Dinge, die man zusammen gemacht habe. Der Präsident schließt mit dem Ausdruck seines Dankes und wünscht dem Bundeskanzler viel Glück bei seiner weiteren Arbeit, die er mit großem Interesse verfolgen werde.
[1] BArch, B 136/59731, 17.
Head of Department 2 Bonn, 18 January 1993
M e m o r a n d u m
Subject: The Chancellor's Telephone Conversation with the President of the United States of America, George Bush, on 18 January 1993[1]
The Chancellor says that he wanted to express his thanks to President Bush for everything he that did for us Germans. He had written him, but he also wanted to express his gratitude personally. He asked the President to pass this on to Secretary of State Baker and his wife. When he travels to the United States, he would be very meet with the President.
The President had every reason to look back on his tenure with satisfaction and pride. Few Americans have done so much for their country as the President had. He certainly had a place in history.
President Bush replies that he was very moved by the Chancellor’s call. He had very much enjoyed working with the Chancellor. He was currently at Camp David and would fly back to Texas from Washington. He would also be very pleased to see the Chancellor again.
The Chancellor inserts that he would be very glad if the President could visit Germany in the foreseeable future.
President Bush replies that he would be glad to do it when the opportunity arises. They could then exchange memories about the things they had accomplished together. The President concludes the conversation by expressing his thanks and wishes the Chancellor good luck in his future work, which he would follow with great interest.
[1] BArch, B 136/59731, 17.
Kohl calls Bush in order to thank him profoundly emphasizing Bush's key contributions in terms of Germany's unification.
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