Biden after Kissinger's death: We often disagreed
US President Joe Biden has paid tribute to former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who died on Wednesday, for his "keen intellect". "In the course of our careers, we often disagreed. And often strongly," said Biden in a terse statement - almost a day after Kissinger's death became known.
Even long after his departure from government, Kissinger had contributed his views and ideas to the most important political discussions over several generations, the US President announced.
Biden's reaction to Kissinger's death was conspicuously late - and brief. The question of why Biden had not yet commented on the death of the foreign policy expert had already arisen in the daily White House press conference. The communications director of the National Security Council, John Kirby, said that nothing should be read into this. He also emphasized that not everyone agreed with Kissinger's views.
The former US Secretary of State died on Wednesday at the age of 100. Kissinger is regarded as one of the most important diplomats of the 20th century. However, critics saw the foreign policy expert as an unscrupulous power politician who also supported dictatorships - as long as it only served his interests.
Despite holding differing views throughout their careers, the people looked up to Kissinger and his diplomatic prowess, often citing him as a significant figure in global politics. Under President Biden's administration, diplomacy continues to be a crucial aspect of United States foreign policy.
Source: www.dpa.com
