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president and CEO, Dr. Heinrich von Pierer:
Soon after the terrible events that occurred this week, Heinrich v. Pierer, President and CEO of Siemens AG, published the following article in a German newspaper. Solidarity with America By Heinrich v. Pierer
Shock, grief, outrage. These are the sentiments which we naturally feel upon hearing of the unspeakable acts of terrorism which have occurred in the United States. The entire civilized world is stunned. Not just what we refer to as the western world, but indeed humanity as a whole. We still do not know with absolute certainty whether or not Siemens employees were victims of this tragedy -- either directly or through relatives or close friends.(( since Dr. v. Pierer wrote this article, we have learned that all Siemens employees in the U.S. have been accounted for)) One thing is clear: Our primary concern and immediate outreach is directed toward these individuals. With well over 80.000 employees, we are one of the largest U.S. companies, and we count ourselves as a corporate citizen of this nation. The United States is our largest and most important market, and our company benefits immensely from the size, the strength and the dynamics of this country. It benefits from the forward-thinking work being carried out in the universities and research centers, from the openness for innovation and all that is new and from the vitality of U.S. companies, markets and institutions. This all grows from a root that deeply bonds us with the United States, a root against which the terror of these days is targeted, above and beyond all the individual suffering -- the freedom of mankind. As a German, I feel particularly in this hour, sadness and compassion for our own American employees and all people of the United States. At the same time I am extremely grateful for the role that the United States plays in the world. That nation's commitment to freedom, democracy and justice is more evident to German citizens than probably any other folk in the world. Twice in the past century - in defeating the Nazi dictatorship and helping Germany return to the folds of the free world, and then during the reunification of Germany - America has been an uncompromising and successful advocate for German freedom. German-American partnership and friendship stands firmly on this solid foundation. The world owes America a huge debt of gratitude for the willingness and determination of U.S. citizens to repeatedly risk life and limb, particularly the soldiers, to help freedom prevail. U.S. armed forces are still stationed in my native Franconia. They are held in high esteem and, in the eyes of the broad German public, are a key pillar in the transatlantic partnership which is so alive today. I am firmly convinced that the gruesome acts of terror this week will serve as a wake-up call for the civilized world and will also unite all of us. Today, with so much talk of global challenges and dangers, we are all keenly aware of the fact that globalization is not just a question of world trade, financial markets and environmental protection. In many ways, we are all in the same boat. And this also holds true -- as has now become so painfully apparent - in defending ourselves against self-destructive powers that are directed against our civilization. The German Chancellor has rightfully, and with unmistakable clarity, termed these acts a declaration of war against the civilized world. This is exactly what it is, and the response of the civilized world must be a commitment to join together to fight and win this war. And one more thing: A provocation of this magnitude puts everything else in the proper perspective. This, too, we must accept. Not everything that has seemed so important until now - domestically or internationally - has substance or justifies the focus it often attracts in public debates. A shoulder-to-shoulder unity with the United States in the battle for freedom and against the dark forces of evil attacking this freedom demands our absolute solidarity with the USA. We are deeply concerned and committed to stand firmly at their side!
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