another Obama photo op stymied

Obama’s plans for a Campaign Spectacular in Berlin to link him to both JFK and Ronald Reagan are nipped in the bud by the Germans [e.a.]:

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.

So the Government would dearly like Mr Obama to find another platform, …

So sensible those Germans.