Kissingers fled from Nazis

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33065, 4 November 1972, Page 20

Kissingers fled from Nazis

(By FRANK SWETLOW, of United Press International, through N.Z.P.A.) NEW YORK, November 2. Dr Henry Kissinger, President Nixon’s principal adviser on foreign affairs, showed no signs of greatness when he was a child in pre-war Germany—he was ‘‘just a nice Jewish boy,” according to his aunt and uncle.

“He was just a little kid. He liked to play soccer, but he was so small that he kept getting lost in the crowd of players,” said Mr and Mrs Karl Kissinger. The Kissingers fled from Nazi Germany in 1937, and emigrated to Israel before settling in the United States in 1953. They now live in an apartment in Manhattan, a short distance from Dr Kissinger’s parents, Mr and Mrs Louis Kissinger. “I knew Henry would be somebody when we met him again in America in 1952,” said Dr Kissinger’s uncle. “He was then the leader of Harvard’s international study seminar. But he had not done very well as a student in Germany.” Why did Dr Kissinger go to work for President Nixon? his aunt was asked. “He worked for Kennedy, and he didn’t get along with him—he said Kennedy was too impressed by his own personality,” she replied. “Johnson was too self-confident, but Nixon lets him do what he wants.”

The interview took place several days after their nephew announced, “Peace is at hand in Vietnam,” and, naturally, the couple are very proud of his accomplishment. They show his baby pictures with the pride of parents, although Dr Kissinger has not visited them in 10 years. “I guess he doesn’t have time for his relatives. He’s married to his work,” the uncle said. “His father said we should understand—he’s too busy.” With’beautiful women? Dr Kissinger’s aunt was asked? “Oh, them,” she replied. “I think it’s the girls who want the publicity. Besides, he isn’t so much a Don Juan.” Like Dr Kissinger’s parents the uncle and aunt are Democrats, but they said that they will vote for Mr Nixon The Kissingers believe that their nephew is different from most German refugees who fled from the Nazis. “They are usually very quiet and sensitive men,” the aunt said'. “Henry is tough—he is a professor, but is more like a Prussian soldier.”