Bill Clinton to lead US at Singapore leader’s funeral
Former President Clinton will lead the U.S. delegation attending Sunday’s funeral for Lee Kuan Yew, the first prime minister of Singapore, the White House said Thursday.
Clinton will be joined by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, as well as current Ambassador to Singapore Kirk Wagar and former Ambassador to Singapore Steven Green.
Vice President Biden offered his own condolences in a tribute written Thursday.
{mosads}“One of my fondest and lasting memories was meeting with the Prime Minister in Singapore in 2014,” Biden wrote.
“We discussed the relative position and prospects of India, China, Russia and the United States — the breadth and depth of his understanding impressed me,” he continued. “My only regret was that I didn’t have a full week just to ask him questions regarding world affairs.”
President Obama publicly mourned Lee’s death after receiving news of the Asian dignitary’s passing. He called Lee a “visionary” and a “remarkable leader” in comments delivered the same day.
“He was a true giant of history who will be remembered for generations to come as the father of modern Singapore and as one of the great strategists of Asian affairs,” Obama added.
Lee was Singapore’s first prime minister from, 1959 to 1990. He passed away from pneumonia early Monday morning at age 91.
The Straits Times said Singapore’s parliament Thursday honored its former leader by placing white flowers on his vacant seat there.
Lee’s eldest son, Lee Hsien Loong, is the country’s current prime minister.
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