Powell Embraced His Caribbean Roots Throughout Entire Successful Career - Jamaican Envoy
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published October 19, 2021 | 06:30 AM
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th October, 2021) The late Colin Powell, who was the first Black man to serve as Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was always aligned to his Caribbean roots and upbringing regardless of how much he achieved throughout his career in public service, Jamaican Ambassador to the United Nations Curtis Ward told Sputnik.
Powell died on Monday at the age of 84 from complications of COVID-19. He had been treated over the past few years for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that impairs the body's ability to fight infections and to respond well to vaccines.
"He claimed us," Ward said on Monday. "He spoke about visiting rum bars in Jamaica, he played Caribbean music in his office and had Jamaican rum in his cabinet. He is a man who achieved so much in life but was very very aligned to his Caribbean roots and upbringing. He said his parents came to the US in a banana boat."
Powell, during his time as the head of the US armed forces, led the American military to its overwhelming victory in the 1991 first Gulf war against Iraq.
Ward said Powell, through the conversations he shared with the Jamaican ambassador, recognized the significance his career as a Black man in US government had on society.
Ward remembered the shockwaves Powell sent across America when he supported then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who would go on to be the first Black president of the United States.
Moreover, Ward said Powell's wife feared her husband would be killed if had decided to run for president as a Republican candidate in the 1990s.
Aside from personal matters, Ward highlighted two crucial moments in Powell's career: the Aristide situation and his presentation before the UN Security Council about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
Ward said Powell, during his time as the top US diplomat, gets no credit for how he handled the removal of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in the middle of the night during a coup d'etat in 2004 . Powell said the plan may have saved Aristide's life.
In regards to Iraq, Ward highlighted the conflicting duty Powell had to undertake at the UN Security Council when he presented the United States' plans for invading Iraq because of alleged weapons of mass destruction.
"I always interpret that moment as him by every breath he took being a military man," Ward said. "He actually went to CIA headquarters because he had doubts. He insisted that (CIA Director) George Tenet sit behind him. He had his doubts and he was diligent in trying to find out the truth... Colin Powell was in opposition to invading Iraq. Powell told the president if you go in there, you own it."
Powell, Ward concluded, was an icon in American history, a great American, and a great man.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
IHC adjourns PTI founder, Qureshi's appeal till Thursday
CDWP recommends 3 projects to ECNEC for approval
Tarar assures APNS to resolve issues of newspaper industry
Pakistan urged to capitalize on economic stability, for Tobacco Tax Reforms
N. Macedonia polls set to upend ties with EU neighbours
Croatia's ruling party reaches coalition deal with right wing
Bayern coach Tuchel makes three changes for Madrid showdown
Olympic flame arrives on French soil for Paris Games
Punjab Finance Minister announces expansion of Social Protection Authority's man ..
Kenya inks deal to end doctors' strike
Brazil flooding death toll reaches 100
Lebanon security source says five killed in Israeli strikes on south
More Stories From World
-
US forges new 'battery belt' in hopes of electric future
7 minutes ago -
Tokyo shares open higher
16 minutes ago -
Nuggets' Jokic scoops third NBA Most Valuable Player award
17 minutes ago -
Brazil flooding death toll surpasses 100
27 minutes ago -
Football: South African Premiership results
7 hours ago -
Football: South African Premiership table
7 hours ago
-
Fiorentina reach Europa Conference League final
7 hours ago -
Fiorentina reach Europa Conference League final
7 hours ago -
Football: Europa Conference League results
8 hours ago -
Tennis: Rome Open results - 1st update
9 hours ago -
Tennis: Rome Open results
9 hours ago -
Track cycling star Benjamin Thomas escapes to win Giro 5th stage
9 hours ago