Bush: “We have lost our most trusted and unique voice.”
Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. “He was my most precious and long-time friend.”
“War criminal finally dies”… “Killed hundreds of thousands of people.”
Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, considered the most influential diplomat in U.S. history, passed away on the 29th (local time), sparking mixed reviews of the deceased.
While U.S. leaders praised former Secretary Kissinger as a “competent defender” of U.S. national interests, he was evaluated on social media as a “war criminal” who left lasting damage around the world.
According to the Associated Press, former U.S. President George W. Bush lamented in a statement, “The United States has lost its most trusted and unique voice in foreign affairs.”
Former President Bush said, “I have long admired him as he was born into a Jewish family, ran away from the Nazis as a child, and then fought against the Nazis in the U.S. military.” He added, “The fact that he, a former refugee, was appointed Secretary of State shows the greatness of America as much as his greatness.” It was highly evaluated.
Mike Pompeo, who served as Secretary of State during the Donald Trump administration, also said that former Secretary Kissinger left an indelible mark on American and world history.
Former Secretary Pompeo recalled on did.
“My father and Kissinger enjoyed a partnership that created a generation of peace,” said former President Richard Nixon’s daughters Trisha and Julie. “I did it,” he said.
He also recalled, “‘Shuttle diplomacy’ in the Middle East helped advance the easing of tensions in this troubled region.”
Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng expressed his condolences by saying, “I am deeply shocked and saddened by Kissinger’s death,” adding, “He will forever live in the hearts of the Chinese people as a most precious and long-time friend.”
Former Secretary Kissinger, who led the ‘ping-pong diplomacy’ between the US and China in the 1970s, has been trusted by China. Last July, when U.S.-China relations were frozen, former Secretary Kissinger visited China at the age of 100 and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
President Xi described former Secretary Kissinger as an “old friend” and praised him, saying, “China-US relations will always be linked to the name of Henry Kissinger.”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also told reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on this day that former Secretary of State Kissinger “made a great contribution to regional peace and stability, including the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and China,” and added, “When I was young, I myself made a great contribution to regional peace and stability.” We often met in person and gained knowledge. “We sincerely respect and express our condolences to the great footsteps that have continued to this day,” he said.
There are also mixed reviews.
The U.S. Rolling Stone magazine criticized former Secretary Kissinger’s obituary article, saying, “Henry Kissinger, a war criminal beloved by the American ruling class, finally dies.”
Sopal Ear of Arizona State University, who studies Cambodian political economy, wrote in ‘The Conversation’ about the US bombing of Cambodia, “Kissinger’s role is to kill hundreds of thousands of Cambodians and open the way for the Khmer Rouge to abuse (human rights).” “It must have been,” he criticized.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.