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Obama, Clinton mourn death of special envoy Holbrooke
Source: Xinhua |
December 14, 2010, Tuesday
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US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday evening mourned the death of special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, who just died of illness at the age of 69.
US State Department said the veteran diplomat passed away yesterday evening at a Washington hospital following four days of struggle with a torn aorta. He was surrounded by his wife Kati, his sons David and Anthony, his step-children Elizabeth and Chris Jennings and other family members.
"(First lady) Michelle and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Richard Holbrooke, a true giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer, and more respected," Obama said in a statement. "He was a truly unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country, and pursuit of peace."
Obama noted that Holbrooke worked as a young foreign service officer during the Vietnam War and then supported the Paris peace talks which ended the war.
"As a young assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, he helped normalize relations with China," Obama dwelled on the experience of his special envoy. "As US ambassador to Germany, he helped Europe emerge from a long Cold War and encouraged NATO to welcome new members. As assistant secretary of state for European and Canadian affairs, he was the tireless chief architect of the Dayton Accords that ended the war in Bosnia 15 years ago this week, saving countless lives."
"As ambassador to the United Nations, Richard helped break a political impasse and strengthen our nation's relationship with the UN and elevated the cause of AIDS and Africa on the international agenda," Obama added. "And throughout his life, as a child of refugees, he devoted himself to the plight of people displaced around the world."
Two days after he took office on Jan. 20, 2009, Obama appointed Holbrooke as his special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"Like so many presidents before me, I am grateful that Richard Holbrooke was on my team, as are the American people," Obama said in his statement. "The progress that we have made in Afghanistan and Pakistan is due in no small measure to Richard's relentless focus on America's national interest, and pursuit of peace and security."
As the senior policy maker on the Obama administration's most pressing foreign policy issue, Holbrooke helped shape the civilian component of the administration's Afghanistan strategy, deploying more than 1,000 diplomats and aid workers to help the Afghans rebuild their state institutions.
His death came just before the Obama administration is expected to roll out on Thursday an assessment of its revised strategy for the Afghan war unveiled in December last year.
He was hospitalized on Friday morning after he was flushed and had chest pains during a meeting with Hillary Clinton. The surgery to repair a tear in his aorta lasted until Saturday morning, when he plunged into "critical condition" until death, though he underwent an additional medical procedure on Sunday to improve blood circulation.
US Vice President Joe Biden described Holbrooke as "a tireless negotiator, a relentless advocate for American interests and the most talented diplomat we have had in a generation."
"He served at every level of the foreign service and beyond, helping mentor generations of talented officers and future ambassadors. Few people have ever left a larger mark on the State Department or our country," Hillary Clinton said in a statement. "I had the privilege to know Richard for many years and to call him a friend, colleague and confidante."
Holbrooke was a top foreign policy adviser for Hillary Clinton in her failed presidential bid in 2008. After Obama won the Democratic nomination, Holbrooke served as one of his advisers.
US State Department said the veteran diplomat passed away yesterday evening at a Washington hospital following four days of struggle with a torn aorta. He was surrounded by his wife Kati, his sons David and Anthony, his step-children Elizabeth and Chris Jennings and other family members.
"(First lady) Michelle and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Richard Holbrooke, a true giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer, and more respected," Obama said in a statement. "He was a truly unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country, and pursuit of peace."
Obama noted that Holbrooke worked as a young foreign service officer during the Vietnam War and then supported the Paris peace talks which ended the war.
"As a young assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, he helped normalize relations with China," Obama dwelled on the experience of his special envoy. "As US ambassador to Germany, he helped Europe emerge from a long Cold War and encouraged NATO to welcome new members. As assistant secretary of state for European and Canadian affairs, he was the tireless chief architect of the Dayton Accords that ended the war in Bosnia 15 years ago this week, saving countless lives."
"As ambassador to the United Nations, Richard helped break a political impasse and strengthen our nation's relationship with the UN and elevated the cause of AIDS and Africa on the international agenda," Obama added. "And throughout his life, as a child of refugees, he devoted himself to the plight of people displaced around the world."
Two days after he took office on Jan. 20, 2009, Obama appointed Holbrooke as his special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"Like so many presidents before me, I am grateful that Richard Holbrooke was on my team, as are the American people," Obama said in his statement. "The progress that we have made in Afghanistan and Pakistan is due in no small measure to Richard's relentless focus on America's national interest, and pursuit of peace and security."
As the senior policy maker on the Obama administration's most pressing foreign policy issue, Holbrooke helped shape the civilian component of the administration's Afghanistan strategy, deploying more than 1,000 diplomats and aid workers to help the Afghans rebuild their state institutions.
His death came just before the Obama administration is expected to roll out on Thursday an assessment of its revised strategy for the Afghan war unveiled in December last year.
He was hospitalized on Friday morning after he was flushed and had chest pains during a meeting with Hillary Clinton. The surgery to repair a tear in his aorta lasted until Saturday morning, when he plunged into "critical condition" until death, though he underwent an additional medical procedure on Sunday to improve blood circulation.
US Vice President Joe Biden described Holbrooke as "a tireless negotiator, a relentless advocate for American interests and the most talented diplomat we have had in a generation."
"He served at every level of the foreign service and beyond, helping mentor generations of talented officers and future ambassadors. Few people have ever left a larger mark on the State Department or our country," Hillary Clinton said in a statement. "I had the privilege to know Richard for many years and to call him a friend, colleague and confidante."
Holbrooke was a top foreign policy adviser for Hillary Clinton in her failed presidential bid in 2008. After Obama won the Democratic nomination, Holbrooke served as one of his advisers.
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