For Release 1:00 PM

PRESS RELEASE

FEBRUARY 3, 1986

Statement by

Dr. Henry A. Kissinger

Over the past few weeks Republican leaders, including Vice President George Bush, have urged me to put forward my name as candidate for Governor of New York. They have honored me by their confidence and I have considered their suggestion with great seriousness.

I arrived in New York as an immigrant in 1938 and spent many years there since. During that time I worked very closely with the late great Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller who was my friend and inspiration. I admire the dynamism and the heritage of New York and above all the indomitable character of its people. With their great diversity and unquenchable vitality, New Yorkers are America.

It would have been a privilege to contribute as a candidate to a vision of the future worthy of their hopes. To campaign across this great state would have been an exciting and enriching experience. Regrettably, my review of the situation has made it clear that especially in the light of my current focus on national and international affairs I would immediately have to abandon all existing commitments to devote myself fulltime to the substance, organization and financing of an effective gubernatorial race. Circumstances do not permit this on such short notice. Therefore, I have decided not to let my name go forward as candidate for Governor.

I am deeply grateful to the dedicated leaders who did me the honor of asking me to head the campaign for a better future of the state. They can count on my enthusiastic support in their efforts and on my continued friendship.