Today，thus，represents a moment of hope.We in the West stand ready to cooperate with the East to promote true openness，to break down barriers that separate people，to create a safer，freer world.And surely there is no better place than Berlin，the meeting place of East and West，to make a start.Free people of Berlin：Today，as in the past，the United States stands for the strict observance and full implementation of all parts of the Four Power Agreement of 1971.Let us use this occasion，the 750th anniversary of this city，to usher in a new era，to seek a still fuller，richer life for the Berlin of the future.Together，let us maintain and develop the ties between the Federal Republic and the Western sectors of Berlin，which is permitted by the 1971agreement.
And I invite Mr.Gorbachev：Let us work to bring the Eastern and Western parts of the city closer together so that all the inhabitants of all Berlin can enjoy the benefits that come with life in one of the great cities of the world.To open Berlin still further to all Europe，East and West，let us expand the vital air access to this city，finding ways of making commercial air service to Berlin more convenient，more comfortable and more economical.We look to the day when West Berlin can become one of the chief aviation hubs in all central Europe.
With-With our French-With our French and British partners，the United States is prepared to help bring international meetings to Berlin.It would be only fitting for Berlin to serve as the site of United Nations meetings，or world conferences on human rights and arms control，or other issues that call for international cooperation.There is no better way to establish hope for the future than to enlighten young minds，and we would be honored to sponsor summer youth exchanges，cultural events，and other programs for young Berliners from the East.Our French and British friends，I’m certain，will do the same.And it‘s my hope that an authority can be found in East Berlin to sponsor visits from young people of the Western sectors.
One final proposal，one close to my heart：Sport represents a source of enjoyment and ennoblement，and you may have noted that the Republic of Korea-South Korea-has offered to permit certain events of the 1988Olympics to take place in the North.International sports competitions of all kinds could take place in both parts of this city.And what better way to demonstrate to the world the openness of this city than to offer in some future year to hold the Olympic games here in Berlin，East and West.
In these four decades，as I have said，you Berliners have built a great city.You’ve done so in spite of threats-the Soviet attempts to impose the East-mark，the blockade.Today the city thrives in spite of the challenges implicit in the very presence of this wall.What keeps you here？Certainly，there‘s a great deal to be said for your fortitude，for your defiant courage.
But I believe there’s something deeper，something that involves Berlin‘s whole look and feel and way of life-not mere sentiment.No one could live long in Berlin without being completely disabused of illusions.Something，instead，that has seen the difficulties of life in Berlin but chose to accept them，that continues to build this good and proud city in contrast to a surrounding totalitarian presence，that refuses to release human energies or aspirations，something that speaks with a powerful voice of affirmation，that says“yes”to this city，yes to the future，yes to freedom.In a word，I would submit that what keeps you in Berlin-is“love”.Love both profound and abiding.Perhaps this gets to the root of the matter，to the most fundamental distinction of all between East and West.The totalitarian world produces backwardness because it does such violence to the spirit，thwarting the human impulse to create，to enjoy，to worship.The totalitarian world finds even symbols of love and of worship an affront.
Years ago，before the East Germans began rebuilding their churches，they erected a secular structure：the television tower at Alexander Platz.Virtually ever since，the authorities have been working to correct what they view as the tower’s one major flaw：treating the glass sphere at the top with paints and chemicals of every kind.Yet even today when the sun strikes that sphere，that sphere that towers over all Berlin，the light makes the sign of the cross.There in Berlin，like the city itself，symbols of love，symbols of worship，cannot be suppressed.
As I looked out a moment ago from the Reichstag，that embodiment of German unity，I noticed words crudely spray-painted upon the wall，perhaps by a young Berliner（quote）：“This wall will fall.Beliefs become reality.”Yes，across Europe，this wall will fall，for it cannot withstand faith；it cannot withstand truth.The wall cannot withstand freedom.
And I would like，before I close，to say one word.I have read，and I have been questioned since I‘ve been here about certain demonstrations against my coming.And I would like to say just one thing，and to those who demonstrate so.I wonder if they have ever asked themselves that if they should have the kind of government they apparently seek，no one would ever be able to do what they’re doing again.
Thank you and God bless you all.Thank you.
译文参考
拆掉这堵墙
——罗纳德·里根在柏林的演讲
感谢各位，非常感谢各位。科尔首相，狄培根市长先生，女士们先生们：二十年前，肯尼迪总统到访柏林时，曾在市政厅对这个城市的人们以及全世界的人们讲话。从那时起，还有其他两位美国总统到过这里。今天，我，是第二次到访你们这座城市。我们几位美国总统，到柏林来是因为我们有这个责任在这个地方表达对自由的向往。
但是我必须承认，我们被吸引而来的另一个原因是：这座城市的历史——一个比我们的国家还要多500年的历史。还有Grunewald和Tiergarten的美丽。也是因为你们的勇敢和果断。或许作曲家鲍尔·林克更为了解这些美国总统。你们看，我今天来到这里的原因也正如在我之前来过这里的几位总统一样。无论我到哪里，无论我做什么，我总是要到柏林来一趟，至今我在柏林还有行李呢。
对于全欧洲各地的听众们，我想要表达我最热切的问候以及来自美国人民的良好愿望。对那些东柏林的听众也要送上特别的敬意：尽管我无法与你们谋面，但与站在我面前的西德听众们一样，我仍然要送上由衷的祝福。在我可以与你们汇聚一堂之前，我只能先站在这里，与你们西柏林的同胞们一起，坚守同一种执着和不可改变的信念：柏林，只有一个。
