In the post-WWII era that was supposedly a “Cold War”, Henry Kissinger was one of the biggest warmongers, who ensured that things got pretty hot in several parts of the world – especially in the poorer nations.
As Assistant to President Richard Nixon for National Security Affairs straight outta a Harvard professorship, he pushed anti-Indian buttons in 1970 when the latter intervened following Pakistan’s massacre of 1 million Bengalis. He was similarly aggressive as the Secretary of State at the far end of the Vietnam War, which backfired and saw Americans forced to abandon their embassy in scenes of unbelievable panic.
He was there when Allende in Chile was overthrown in 1972, and must’ve raised an eyebrow when Burnham allowed Cuban troops to be ferried to Angola!! Nothing happened here, however, since Burnham was their client, and was only posturing and playing to the Third World gallery!!
And imagine, Kissinger received a Nobel Peace Prize!! Anyhow, despite his string of failures over the decades, Kissinger – who’s now NINETY-NINE – is still considered an international relations maven, and his advice is taken seriously in some (hawkish) circles.
Now, your Eyewitness ain’t gonna begrudge a ninety-nine-year-old curmudgeon his opportunity to dole out advice to those who still think he’s relevant. Well, this time it was passed on in the form of an article in a British news magazine – the Spectator. In it, he suggests a “path to peace” in the Ukraine war that’s disrupted the world in so many ways.
So, what’s the old warmonger suggesting?? Well, right up front, he’s insisting that Russia accept that Ukraine must be a member of NATO – the military alliance that was formed to contain Russia/the USSR during the Cold War!! And which suggestion – according to Putin – made him invade Ukraine in the first place. He sees the US-led NATO driving a stake straight into the heart of Mother Russia!!
And why should Russia accept any of this?? “The alternative of neutrality is no longer meaningful, especially after Finland and Sweden joined NATO,” said Kissinger!! That is, Russia should accept what’s been done as a fait accompli!!
And what does Russia get if it goes along with Kissinger’s plan?? Well, after retreating from all the eastern areas of Ukraine it presently controls – including 2014-annexed Crimea – it must accept the result of a referendum in those areas on whether they want to join Russia!! The citizens will now enjoy the right of “self-determination”. So, what does Ukrainian President Zelensky think about this “peace plan”?? Well, lucky for us, Kissenger had already presented the plan earlier this year at Davos – and Zelensky pretty much went ballistic!!
As one of his advisors told Elon Musk, who suggested something similar, “F*** off”!!
…for Dutch Slavery??
Well…well…well!! The Dutch PM just apologised for their role in the African Slave Trade and slavery in their colonies. Now, while we in the Caribbean are obviously familiar with their crimes in our neck of the wood, they also plied their (slave) trade in the Indian Ocean!! But back to us, where they started out plantations back in 1616 over in Essequibo, and soon started using enslaved Africans. They discovered that the trade in human flesh was even more lucrative than the plantations, and pretty soon they had one of the most developed navies schlepping millions of Africans in chains across the Atlantic.
Well, all of it should be known to all and sundry – since it’s even in elementary school textbooks. And for over a decade, Caricom OFFICIALLY has been demanding reparations – following the lead of African activists and academics who’d compiled the statistics on the horror. But the Dutch PM didn’t even mention the word “reparations”!!
So, what does this verbal apology really mean?? Zilch!!
…for justice in SA??
Two years ago, there was a robbery on a farm owned by South African President Ramaphosa – and US$4 million was recovered. The question was: Where did the never-declared money come from??
Never mind…he was just re-elected leader of ANC!!
