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Remarks against Indians were quoted out of context: Henry Kissinger
20 Nov 2008, 0303 hrs IST, Ashley D'Mello, TNN
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MUMBAI: Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger tried to explain his derogatory remarks made against Indians during the crisis leading to the
Bangladesh war of liberation in 1971 reported widely in the media as being quoted out of context.
"Indira Gandhi was a great leader, but she was not the easiest person in the world to deal with if you did not agree with her," said Kissinger and hastily explained the derogatory remarks made against the former Prime Minister, in which US President Nixon had allegedly called her a "*****" and his own statement against Indians whom he referred to as "bastards", were remarks taken out of context.
Kissinger's explanation came in reply to questions, after he had addressed a meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Kissinger sought to placate the emotions of Indians by stating, ''Journalists had taken remarks recorded at the end of the day in the office and had tried to make it out as if they were part of strategic policy".
Kissinger said that thinking in retrospect, if they had to go through the crisis again their attitude towards India would be different. Explaining the tilt towards Pakistan, Kissinger said, ''Pakistan was our only contact to China. Opening up to China was the key interest of the US when the crisis in East Pakistan developed. India reacted for its own interests, we reacted for ours and tried to keep out policy intact," he said.
"After the crisis was over things returned to normal," he said.
Kissinger who talked on a range of issues, regional and international about US foreign policy after the elections in a talk peppered with humour, pointed out that having a stable Pakistan was in the interest of both the US and India. "If we have to get out of the Afghanistan imbroglio then we have to deal with its neighbours and India," he said.
Kissinger said that the US might not tread the path of protectionism in its new foreign policy.
Remarks against Indians were quoted out of context: Henry Kissinger-India-The Times of India
20 Nov 2008, 0303 hrs IST, Ashley D'Mello, TNN
Print Email Discuss Share Save Comment Text:
MUMBAI: Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger tried to explain his derogatory remarks made against Indians during the crisis leading to the
Bangladesh war of liberation in 1971 reported widely in the media as being quoted out of context.
"Indira Gandhi was a great leader, but she was not the easiest person in the world to deal with if you did not agree with her," said Kissinger and hastily explained the derogatory remarks made against the former Prime Minister, in which US President Nixon had allegedly called her a "*****" and his own statement against Indians whom he referred to as "bastards", were remarks taken out of context.
Kissinger's explanation came in reply to questions, after he had addressed a meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Kissinger sought to placate the emotions of Indians by stating, ''Journalists had taken remarks recorded at the end of the day in the office and had tried to make it out as if they were part of strategic policy".
Kissinger said that thinking in retrospect, if they had to go through the crisis again their attitude towards India would be different. Explaining the tilt towards Pakistan, Kissinger said, ''Pakistan was our only contact to China. Opening up to China was the key interest of the US when the crisis in East Pakistan developed. India reacted for its own interests, we reacted for ours and tried to keep out policy intact," he said.
"After the crisis was over things returned to normal," he said.
Kissinger who talked on a range of issues, regional and international about US foreign policy after the elections in a talk peppered with humour, pointed out that having a stable Pakistan was in the interest of both the US and India. "If we have to get out of the Afghanistan imbroglio then we have to deal with its neighbours and India," he said.
Kissinger said that the US might not tread the path of protectionism in its new foreign policy.
Remarks against Indians were quoted out of context: Henry Kissinger-India-The Times of India
