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A Conversation with Henry Kissinger Jaclyn Novatt

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A Conversation with Henry Kissinger Jaclyn Novatt Issue 66 March 2010 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY THE INSIGHT LECTURE BRINGS POlitiCS TO CAMPUS: A CONVERSAtiON WitH HENRY KISSINGER Jaclyn Novatt On Tuesday, January 19, Rockefeller University hosted Dr. Henry past, Kissinger spoke about the way sovereign nations are identi- Kissinger as the first speaker in a series of Insight Lectures dedi- fied. I thought this was a fascinating way of thinking. According cated to politics. If the emails back and forth over the university’s to Kissinger, today there are four worlds. There’s the post-modern political listserv are any indication, Dr. Kissinger is a highly po- Europe which, although the nations are sovereign, features more larizing figure. Kissinger served as National Security Advisor and cooperation than competition since the formation of the Euro- Secretary of State under President Richard Nixon, and continued pean Union. In the Asian world, nations see their neighbors as to advise subsequent administrations on foreign policy. As Sec- potential rivals and approach them with more caution. The Jiha- retary of State, Kissinger oversaw the negotiations of the Paris dist world does not rely on national boundary lines, but rather Peace Accords, ending the Vietnam War. He was also involved ideological and religious boundaries. Finally, there is the world in many controversial events, such as the bombings of Cambodia that exists irrespective of any boundaries: climate change, trade, and Laos in the early 1970s and the cia’s support of Chile’s Au- and nuclear proliferation. gusto Pinochet in 1973. Despite such controversy, Dr. Kissinger is After the formal conversation, the audience had the oppor- highly respected by many, winning the Nobel Peace Prize and the tunity to ask questions. The first person asked for Dr. Kissinger National Medal of Freedom. President George W. Bush appointed to clarify how usa bombings of civilians differs from terrorism. Kissinger head of the committee to investigate the September 11 After initially balking at the question, Kissinger stated that unlike terrorist attacks, and relied on Kissinger’s advice about the sub- terrorists, the usa does not intend to disrupt civilian life or kill sequent war in Iraq. Because of his involvement in these events, innocent people. this man brings out very strong reactions in people, both positive Subsequent questions were not as antagonistic: asking about and negative. environmental policy and the importance of the value of the dol- While walking to Caspary Auditorium that Tuesday evening, lar. One questioner, referring to Kissinger’s earlier reference to I met a small group of people protesting his talk by handing out America as “indispensable” in fixing the world’s problems, won- fliers detailing the “real Henry Kissinger.” This reading material dered if America was truly indispensable, why it did not intervene in hand, I joined the line of people anxiously waiting to be let in the crises in Darfur and Rwanda. Kissinger replied that while into the auditorium. As the minutes ticked by, people filled the America is indispensable, that does not mean it can or should in- lobby and spilled out onto the sidewalk. Finally, the doors opened tervene in every conflict. I respected that Kissinger directed each and we filed in. Shortly thereafter, Kissinger entered the room, set answer at the person who asked the question, looking straight at his cane down, and proceeded to sit in the front row. President them for the duration of the answer. After a polite final round Paul Nurse gave a brief introduction, in which he mentioned that of applause, the audience filed out, excitedly discussing amongst Dr. Kissinger and his wife were both long-time members of the themselves what they had just witnessed, passionately supporting Rockefeller Board of Trustees and were generous supporters of the or criticizing the men on stage. university. I interpreted this to mean “Please don’t piss him off too After the public conversation, a small group of students, post- much!” The public talk was to be a conversation between Kissinger docs, professors, and trustees adjourned to the President’s House and New York Times editor and columnist Dr. Leslie Gelb. The con- for dinner and more discussion with Dr. Kissinger. I was lucky versation began on a light note as Gelb revealed that he was Henry enough to attend the dinner, where conversation at my table ranged Kissinger’s Ph.D. student: “that’s where the ‘Dr.’ came from!” The from foreign policy and covert spy operations, to choosing a post- two then began what seemed like a well-rehearsed conversation doc and teaching undergraduate immunology. Following dinner, covering a wide range of issues. The main focus seemed to be on President Nurse initiated a second round of Q&A. My table was two of the major economic and military powers in the world—the “it” first, so I raised my hand. I brought up again Kissinger’s de- usa and China—and their different self-imposed roles. According scription of America as “indispensable” and his claim that it can- to Kissinger, America sees itself as a global leader, “indispensable” not and should not get involved in everything. My question: what in solving the world’s problems. China, on the other hand, does criteria are/should be used to determine when to intervene and in not see the need to be a global leader, and instead acts only in the what capacity? As he did in the public talk, Dr. Kissinger looked best interest of China. The implications of these differences in -at right into my eyes during his entire answer to my question. While titude became apparent during the recent climate discussions in a bit intimidated by this, I found myself captivated. He started off Copenhagen. by saying that every time there’s a change in administration, the When asked how the world today compares to the world of the new president starts off with promises to change the answer to my question. However, within six months, biography of Rashid Sunyaev in a recent every administration ends up doing ap- issue of Science (Vol. 327. no. 5961, pp. 26 Editorial Board proximately the same thing. Following the to 29), some of the few exchanges across expected chuckle, he went on to say that, the Iron Curtain at the height of the Cold EDITORIAL BOARD first and foremost, America must inter- War involved visiting scientists. With this Jeanne Garbarino vene when a conflict affects our national in mind, President Nurse suggested that Carly Gelfond security. In other conflicts, it’s not as clear- scientists have a responsibility to act as Maura Gilmartin cut. According to Kissinger, America must ambassadors or communicators between decide as a society what it wants to protect different societies. Melina Herman at any cost, and what it wants to prevent At one point, Dr. Kissinger was faced Adria Le Boeuf at any cost. Once those parameters are set, with something he apparently didn’t ex- Joseph Luna they are used to determine when and how pect—someone confronted him about the Anna Magracheva to intervene. war crimes accusations levied against him. Aileen Marshall Further questions followed. One ques- Referring to Christopher Hitchens’ book Eugene Martin tioner referred to Kissinger’s books and The Trial of Henry Kissinger, the questioner Engin Ozertugrul asked him to compare today’s leaders to asked if Kissinger was afraid to speak with Tobias Reichenbach well-respected political leaders of the past. foreign diplomats for fear they would ac- Susan Russo Kissinger noted that it is very difficult to cuse him of war crimes. Kissinger respond- Jessica Wright compare them because their circumstanc- ed by denouncing the validity of Hitchens’ es are completely different—specifically, book. Kissinger said that if the questioner selections.rockefeller.edu Metternich (1773-1859) never had to ex- would do some research of his own, rather [email protected] plain his actions on nightly news shows. than relying on Hitchens’ book, he’d real- Kissinger was also asked what advice he ize that the book was only 10% accurate. would give to President Obama, and what Is Kissinger’s animosity valid? Is it a out from under some intense questions role science and medicine should play in case of “the lady doth protest too much?” It while at other times he would completely foreign policy. Kissinger acknowledged surprised me that Kissinger seemed so un- amaze me with his insight. This experience that he doesn’t know much about medi- prepared for questioners who didn’t agree showed me once again that the leaders of cine, but that he feels the logical approach with him. It almost seemed as though this country and the world are all human of scientists would be very useful in poli- he’d never been asked questions like this beings like you and me. For me, constantly tics. At this point, Rockefeller President before. Knowing how controversial many seeing political leaders on television some- Paul Nurse gave his view on the subject. of his actions were, I would have expected how makes them seem superhuman. I’m Dr. Nurse suggested that scientists have a him to have answers ready, justifying his always surprised that these people are not very important role in foreign policy be- positions. fifteen feet tall when I see them in person. cause science is a universal language. Cell I am grateful to the organizers of the I’m grateful to live in America, where we biologists from Iran ask the same ques- Insight Lecture series for giving us op- can freely agree or disagree with our po- tions as cell biologists from Russia, South portunities like this. Watching Kissinger litical leaders, and we are able to express Africa, and America.
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