(Reuters) – Here are reactions to the death of Henry Kissinger, a controversial Nobel Peace Prize winner who left an indelible mark on U.S. foreign policy:
WINSTON LORD, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA AND KISSINGER’S FORMER SPECIAL ASSISTANT AT THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL:
“The world has lost a tireless advocate for peace. America has lost a towering champion for the national interest. I have lost a cherished friend and mentor.
“Henry blended the European sense of tragedy and the American immigrant’s sense of hope.”
MARTIN INDYK, FORMER U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATIONS AND AUTHOR OF ‘MASTER OF THE GAME: HENRY KISSINGER AND THE ART OF MIDDLE EAST DIPLOMACY’:
“Kissinger was a man of history, but he was also a student of history, and his knowledge of history, his deep understanding, particularly of European 19th-century history, informed his whole approach to the world.
“He was deeply skeptical of those who would aim to try to achieve a peaceful world. He was much more focused on establishing order because order was more reliable than peace.”
U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IN STATEMENT:
“I’ll never forget the first time I met Dr. Kissinger. I was a young Senator, and he was Secretary of State – giving a briefing on the state of the world. Throughout our careers, we often disagreed. And often strongly. But from that first briefing – his fierce intellect and profound strategic focus was evident. Long after retiring from government, he continued to offer his views and ideas to the most important policy discussion across multiple generations. Jill and I send our condolences to his wife Nancy, his children Elizabeth and David, his grandchildren, and all those who loved him.”
JOHN KIRBY, BIDEN’S NATIONAL SECURITY SPOKESMAN:
“It’s a huge loss,” Kirby said, noting Kissinger’s military service during World War Two and years of public service afterward.
“Whether you saw eye to eye with him on every issue, there’s no question that he shaped foreign policy decisions for decades and he certainly had an impact on America’s role in the world.”
FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
“America has lost one of the most dependable and distinctive voices on foreign affairs with the passing of Henry Kissinger. I have long admired the man who fled the Nazis as a young boy from a Jewish family, then fought them in the United States Army.
“When he later became secretary of state, his appointment as a former refugee said as much about his greatness as it did America’s greatness.
“He worked in the administrations of two presidents and counseled many more. I am grateful for that service and advice, but I am most grateful for his friendship.
“Laura and I will miss his wisdom, his charm, and his humor. And we will always be thankful for the contributions of Henry Kissinger.”
CHINA’S FOREIGN MINISTRY:
“Dr. Kissinger was a good old friend of the Chinese people. He is a pioneer and builder of Sino-U.S. relations,” ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular press conference.
“China and the U.S. should carry forward Kissinger’s strategic vision, political courage and diplomatic wisdom … and promote the sound, stable and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations,” Wang said, adding that President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese officials have sent their condolences to U.S. President Joe Biden and others.
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN:
“The name of Henry Kissinger is inextricably linked with a pragmatic foreign policy line, which at one time made it possible to achieve detente in international tensions and reach the most important Soviet-American agreements that contributed to the strengthening of global security.
“I had the opportunity to personally communicate with this deep, extraordinary man many times, and I will undoubtedly retain the fondest memory of him.”
U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN:
“He was the rare scholar turned strategist, and he has been widely hailed as one of our most powerful and influential secretaries of state. … I sought his geopolitical perspective repeatedly over the course of my career and always found our exchanges thought-provoking.”
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN:
“Few people were better students of history – and even fewer people did more to shape history – than Henry Kissinger.”
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU:
“Dr. Kissinger’s departure marks the end of an era, one in which his formidable intellect and diplomatic prowess shaped not only the course of American foreign policy but also had a profound impact on the global stage.
“I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Kissinger on numerous occasions, the most recent being just two months ago in New York. Each meeting with him was not just a lesson in diplomacy but also a master class in statesmanship. His understanding of the complexities of international relations and his unique insights into the challenges facing our world were unparalleled.”
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK:
“I had the great pleasure of spending time with Dr Kissinger at No10 earlier this year. I learned so much from him, from studying his work as a student to reading his most recent books as Prime Minister.
“Henry had a great affinity for and understanding of the UK, with many friends and admirers here. He was a titan of international diplomacy who led a remarkable life.
“Right until his 100th year, he was a source of great wisdom on subjects from geopolitics to AI. Our thoughts are with his family.”
EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT CHARLES MICHEL:
“I had the privilege to meet with Henry several times. A kind human and a brilliant mind who, over one hundred years, shaped the destinies of some of the most important events of the century. A strategist with attention to the smallest detail.”
JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER FUMIO KISHIDA:
“The former secretary of state made great contributions to regional peace and stability, including the normalisation of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China.
“I, myself, have had the privilege of meeting him on many occasions since I was a young man, and I have gained a great deal of knowledge from him.”
GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ:
“Henry Kissinger shaped American foreign policy like few others. His commitment to the transatlantic friendship between the USA and Germany was significant, and he always remained close to his German homeland. The world has lost a great diplomat.”
CINDY MCCAIN, U.S. DIPLOMAT AND WIFE OF LATE SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN:
“Henry Kissinger was ever present in my late husband’s life. While John was a prisoner of war, and in the later years, as a senator and statesman. The McCain family will miss his wit, charm, and intelligence terribly.”
BANGLADESHI FOREIGN MINISTER ABDUL MOMEN
Recalling Kissinger’s role in the bloody 1971 war between West and East Pakistan that led eventually to East Pakistan becoming an independent Bangladesh:
“Henry Kissinger has been an iconic diplomat. … But unfortunately, in 1971, he was dead against the people of the then-East Pakistan. … That is very sad for such a smart man to do such inhumane things. … He should have apologized to the people of Bangladesh for what he has done.”
U.S. DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN GERRY CONNOLLY on X
“Henry Kissinger has passed at 100. His legacy badly needs reassessment. He unleashed some of the worst violence of the last fifty years in Chile, Cambodia, Iran & Vietnam – just to name a few. His indifference to human suffering will forever tarnish his name and shape his legacy.”
(Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Editing by Edwina Gibbs, Tom Hogue, Tomasz Janowski, Jonathan Oatis, Stephen Coates)
