Posted on 07/02/2005 4:53:28 AM PDT by phoenix_004
EXPRESSING REGRET for the use of abusive language against former PM Indira Gandhi in particular and Indians in general in 1971, former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger said the remarks had to be seen in the context of the Cold War prevailing at that time.
He told NDTV the use of strong language was a “one-time event” and he actually held Indira in “high regard”. He was also a “strong supporter and promoter” of a close relationship between India and the US.
“In any event I regret these words were used. I have extremely high regard for Mrs Gandhi as a statesman. The fact that we were at cross purposes at that time was inherent in the situation but she was a great leader,” Kissinger said.
He had described Indians as “bastards” and then US President Richard Nixon had described Indira as an “old witch”.
Hate crime police alerted?
Right. He should have saved such remarks for Le Duc Tho.
More [and different] words of abuse were probably used in the composition of the Kissinger's regrets statement. If delivered orally, he ought to have attributed the misunderstanding to his heavy accent.
Don't worry about it Henry, the old bat croaked many years ago.
She doesn't care now, and neither do we.
You called it like you saw it, and IMHO, that was the way to call it.
Let me also take this opportunity to apologize to all the spades I ever may have called a 'spade'.
Jeez. Would Nixon have apologized?
In any event I regret these words were used.
'These words' weren't used. YOU used them. One could say that they regret someone else's words with I regret these words were used, but what Kissinger should have said, if he was actually apologizing for what he said, was, "I regret using these words." as opposed to putting it off on some unspecified passive voice.
Ah…the victims of offending language. Too many yellow bile folks spend 24/7 being offended. It’s their calling in life. They are so boring and predictable. Here’s a news flash from me to you: Expect to be offended all the time because I am not going to change for you.
Slow news day in Delhi? A non-story about a non-apology for a non-event.
You told it like it was, leave it alone, Henry!
LOL!!! Thank you. I had fun writing that.
What you say is also true. I don't know why folks bother to reply. The "offendees" on some level want to be noticed. Therefore, to ingore them is the best punishment.
Extremely tame language.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.