Death of George F. Kennan

Death of George F. Kennan Secretary Condoleezza Rice Tokyo, Japan March 19, 2005

It is with profound sorrow that I learned today of the passing of George F. Kennan. I knew him, and I admired him as one of the greatest strategists in the history of American foreign policy. He had a profound influence on me.

Ambassador Kennan had the vision to discern the underlying patterns of human affairs where others saw only disconnected shards. He believed passionately in the power of ideas, and that to be effective, policymakers must understand the tectonic forces of history moving beneath the surface of political events. Secretary of State George Marshall, who appointed Mr. Kennan the founding Director of the Office of Policy Planning, said he had a gift for "seeing around corners."

From his famous "Long Telegram" to his contributions to the Marshall Plan, Ambassador Kennan helped create the intellectual context within which America’s successful Cold War diplomacy operated for over half a century. His many books and memoirs, and his devotion to Russian and Soviet studies in the United States, made a lasting contribution to scholarship.

Ambassador Kennan’s legacy has been an inspiration to generations of men and women in the Department of State. So it will remain long into the future. I join my colleagues at the Department of State in honoring Ambassador Kennan’s service to the nation. We send our deepest condolences to Mrs. Annelise Kennan and the entire Kennan family.

2005/T4-13 Released on March 19, 2005

Gujarati Chief Minister Narendra Modi

Denial of Visa Application and Revocation of Visa for Gujarati Chief Minister Narendra Modi

Question: When did the U.S. deny a diplomatic visa to India's Chief Minister of Gujarat state, Mr. Narendra Modi? When did the U.S. revoke his existing tourist/business visa?

Answer: The American Embassy in New Delhi denied the diplomatic visa application of Chief Minister Narendra Modi on March 18, 2005 under section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. The business/visitor visa held by Chief Minister Modi was revoked pursuant to section 212(a)(2)(G) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act at the same time.

2005/334 Released on March 18, 2005

Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 18, 2005 Question Taken at March 18, 2005, Daily Press Briefing