Kissinger called Jewish groups 'bastards'

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Henry Kissinger referred to U.S. Jewish groups as "self-serving" and "bastards" when he was national security adviser in 1972, newly released documents show.

He used the language in a discussion with Leonard Garment, another adviser to President Richard Nixon, the Israeli news Web site Ynetnews.com reported. Both Garment and Kissinger are Jewish.

The transcript released by the State Department shows Garment seeking advice from Kissinger, saying he was swamped with letters and phone calls opposing the Nixon administration's efforts to put pressure on Israel.

Kissinger's response to Garment was a question: "Is there a more self-serving group of people than the Jewish community?"

Garment answered: "None in the world."

Then Kissinger had more harsh words for the Jewish groups: "What the hell do they think they are accomplishing? You can't even tell bastards anything in confidence because they'll leak it."

Kissinger served as national security adviser from 1969 to 1975 under both Nixon and his successor, Gerald Ford. Nixon named him secretary of state in 1973 and he continued to serve until the end of the Ford administration.