United States: Mr. Henry Kissinger, former United States Secretary of State, has passed away at the age of 100.
According to the sources, Mr. Kissinger died last day in his home in Connecticut. The top diplomat served under two US presidents, Mr. Richard Nixon, and Mr. Gerald Ford, as the secretary of state and played a key role in shaping the country’s foreign policy during the Cold War era.
A German-born Jewish refugee, Mr. Kissinger oversaw initiatives to begin diplomatic negotiations with China, a landmark US-Soviet arms talks, strengthen ties amid Israel and Arab neighbours, and the Paris Peace Accords with North Vietnam.
Following Mr. Nixon’s resignation in 1974, Mr. Kissinger’s influence as the primary architect of US foreign policy diminished.
Mr. Kissinger, along with Vietnamese politician, Mr. Le Duc Tho, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973. The controversial award led to the resignation of two Nobel committee members.
Although many applauded Mr. Kissinger for his wisdom and extensive experience, others labelled him as a war criminal for his backing of anti-communist dictatorships, especially in Latin America.
Even after turning 100, the statesman attended meetings in the White House and published a book regarding leadership styles.
In July this year, Mr. Kissinger made a surprise visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President, Mr. Xi Jinping.
Mr. Heinz Alfred Kissinger, born on May 27, 1923, in Furth, Germany, immigrated to the US with his family in 1938, escaping the Nazi persecution of European Jews.
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