Baden-Wuerttemberg hosts Large July 4 Event

UNCLAS FRANKFURT 005840

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR GM
SUBJECT: Baden-Wuerttemberg hosts Large July 4 Event



1. SUMMARY: Continuing an annual tradition, the state of
Baden-Wuerttemberg and the German-American Institute in
cooperation with ConGen Frankfurt held a high-profile
Independence Day reception in Stuttgart for three hundred
German guests. END SUMMARY.


2. On July 1, the James F. Byrnes German-American
Institute celebrated Independence Day on the Stuttgart
compound of SWR (Germany's second largest TV broadcaster).
The event was well attended with over three hundred guests
including dignitaries from government, business, and U.S.
and German military. The B-W state government and the city
of Stuttgart -- which together give the Byrnes Institute
approx. EUR 250,000 support per year -- have co-sponsored
the event since the closure of ConGen Stuttgart in 1996.


3. Keynote speakers (including the Consul General, State
Secretary Rudolf Boehmler and Stuttgart Lord Mayor Wolfgang

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Schuster),highlighted the state's strong ties to the
United States including U.S. military based in the state.
State and local politicians committed to do everything
possible to keep U.S. armed forces in Baden-Wuerttemberg.
High-level EUCOM attendance and the performance of a EUCOM
color guard gave the event a traditional July 4th flavor.


4. COMMENT: Stuttgart papers gave very positive coverage
to this unique annual event reflecting enduring U.S.-German
friendship in the state. END COMMENT.

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