06 June 2009
Obama: D-Day Changed an Entire Century
Washington — It was unknowable on June 6, 1944, but much of the progress that defined the 20th century began when Allied forces stormed a slice of French beach only six miles long and two miles wide, President Obama said in a speech commemorating the 65th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings.
“What we must not forget is that D-Day was a time and a place where the bravery and the selflessness of a few was able to change the course of an entire century,” Obama said at the elegantly maintained American Cemetery above Omaha Beach near Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy. Unlike the overcast day 65 years ago, the afternoon commemoration took place under beautiful skies.
It was at Omaha and similar beaches with code names like Juno, Sword, Gold and Utah and at Point du Hoc that the Allied armies of Britain, Canada, Poland, the Free French and the United States landed in the largest amphibious landing in modern history, aided by daring behind-the-lines airborne landings of American and British paratroopers.
The president was joined at the commemoration by the political leaders of France, Britain and Canada, and thousands of veterans and their families.
“This day marks not only the triumph of freedom, but it also marks how the trans-Atlantic alliance has allowed for extraordinary prosperity and security on both sides of the Atlantic,” Obama said at a press conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Caen before the ceremonies in Normandy.
The president’s speech marked the end of a five-day, four-nation international tour that began in Saudi Arabia, then on to Egypt, Germany and France. In Germany Obama toured the Buchenwald concentration camp with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, who survived internment in the camp. Obama was joined at Normandy by first lady Michelle Obama, French President Sarkozy and his wife, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife. Also joining the official party was Prince Charles of Britain.
But the president said the most important guests were the Allied veterans who were able to attend. “Long after our time on this Earth has passed, one word will still bring forth the pride and awe of men and women who will never meet the heroes who sit before us: D-Day,” the president said.
MIDDLE EAST AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS
At the Caen press conference, Obama and Sarkozy told reporters they agreed to push ahead in efforts for a two-state solution for Middle East peace and to oppose efforts by Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
“I said to the president that we totally agreed with him on the Israeli and Palestinian issue: two states that need to live alongside one another, an Israeli state whose security we’re very attached to and a secure Palestinian state,” Sarkozy said.
Obama thanked Sarkozy for his leadership on a range of issues and the often difficult diplomacy involved. “That kind of approach I think is serving the interest of France, but it’s also serving the interest of the world, and we’re very grateful for that,” Obama said.
Sarkozy, who met recently with the Iranian foreign affairs minister, said he told the minister to accept the outstretched hand of friendship and cooperation offered by Obama and set a meeting with the six nations that are struggling to convince Iran not to develop nuclear weapons, and that they are aligned if Iran wants to access civilian nuclear energy. France, Britain, Germany, Russia, China and the United States have been working closely together to resolve issues related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Obama said his administration is breaking with past practices and has offered to have direct talks with Iran. “We are saying we are willing to have direct negotiations with the Iranians on a whole range of issues without preconditions, in an atmosphere of mutual respect and resolve,” Obama told reporters.
The president also said that North Korea’s actions in the last several months have been “extraordinarily provocative.”
Transcripts of Obama’s and Sarkozy’s comments in Caen and of Obama’s speech at the Normandy American Cemetery are available on America.gov.
