The 92-year-old ex-president spoke from the lectern on Friday to reflect on Brzezinski’s contribution to his administration’s policies in a period replete with landmark events such as the Iran hostage crisis and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
"If I could choose my seatmate, it would be Dr. Brzezinski,” Carter remarked, referring to his strategy for long trips as president, as quoted by the New York Times.
Other mourners at St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Cathedral in Washington included big-name US politicians such as the former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan, Susan E. Rice, a national security adviser to President Barack Obama, and Donald Trump's national security advisor, Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster.
Madeleine Albright, the secretary of state under President Bill Clinton, was also among those gathered. She said Brzezinski was a “realistic optimist” who was committed to human rights and believed in the power of diplomacy although he remained wary of Russia throughout his life.
One message read out during the ceremony came from Henry Kissinger, the US secretary of state under President Richard Nixon.
“The world is an emptier place without Zbig pushing the limits of his insights,” Kissinger reflected, as quoted by the New York Times.
A string of Congressmen, diplomats and media personalities were also among those paying last respects to Brzezinski, according to Poland’s PAP news agency.
Senior Polish officials in attendance included Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski.
Earlier, a condolence book was opened in the Polish capital for Varsovians who wished to pay their respects to Brzezinski ahead of Friday’s funeral in Washington.
Polish President Andrzej Duda and US ambassador to Poland Paul Jones were the first to sign the book, which remained open for two days to the public before being handed over to Brzezinski’s family.
"We will remember him as an effective politician, diplomat and adviser, a brilliant intellectual and a wonderful, wise and righteous man," Duda said.
Born in Warsaw in 1928, Brzezinski studied in Canada and the US after World War II, and in 1977 joined Carter's administration.
He died aged 89 on 26 May. (str/pk)
Source: PAP, The New York Times, IAR