Henry Kissinger

Henry Alfred Kissinger (born May 27, 1923 as Heinz Alfred Kissinger) is a German-born American diplomat and statesman. He served as National Security Advisor and later Secretary of State in the Nixon administration, continuing in the latter position after Gerald Ford became President in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.

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May 27 - 1923 - German - American - National Security Advisor - Secretary of State - Nixon - Gerald Ford - Watergate scandal

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An admirer of Realpolitik, Kissinger played a dominant role in United States foreign policy between 1969 and 1977. During this time, he pioneered the policy of détente that led to a significant relaxation in U.S.-Soviet tensions, including the SALT I strategic arms reduction talks, and played a crucial role in 1972 talks with Chinese foreign minister Zhou Enlai that concluded with the "opening" of China and the formation of a new strategic anti-Soviet Sino-American alliance.

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Realpolitik - United States foreign policy - 1969 - 1977 - Détente - SALT I - Chinese - Zhou Enlai - "opening" of China

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Kissinger and North Vietnamese foreign minister Le Duc Tho were jointly offered the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for their roles in negotiating a ceasefire and U.S. withdrawal from the protracted Vietnam War. Le Duc Tho declined the award, Kissinger accepted, but did not attend the ceremony.

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North Vietnam - Le Duc Tho - Nobel Peace Prize - Vietnam War

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He maintained friendly diplomatic relationships with anti-Communist military dictatorships in the Southern Cone and elsewhere in Latin America, and approved of covert intervention in Chilean politics. He has been accused of complicity and encouragement in the atrocities committed by the Argentine military junta, and has evaded several arrest warrants for questioning on charges of crimes against humanity. http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/04/22/uk.kissinger/,http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/04/18/spain.kissinger/index.html

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Anti-Communist - Military dictatorships - Southern Cone - Latin America - Chilean - Argentine military junta - Arrest warrants - Crimes against humanity

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During his time in the Nixon and Ford administrations he cut a flamboyant figure, appearing at social occasions with many of America's most celebrated beauties. His foreign policy record made him enemies amongst anti-war liberals and conservative anti-Communist hawks alike; controversy surrounding Kissinger has by no means receded in the years since.

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Liberals - Conservative

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With the recent declassification of Nixon and Ford administration documents relating to U.S. policy toward South America and East Timor, Kissinger has come under fire from certain journalists and human rights advocacy groups, both in the U.S. and abroad. Several have accused him of having committed war crimes; author/journalist Christopher Hitchens is perhaps most prominent among the accusers. Although these allegations have not yet been proven in a court of law, it is considered legally dangerous for Kissinger to enter many countries in Europe and South America.

Related Topics:
South America - East Timor - Human rights - War crimes - Christopher Hitchens - Europe

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