Richard Holbrooke, one of the most prominent U.S. diplomats of his generation, died Monday after a short, sudden illness.
Hospitalized Friday at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., Holbrooke underwent surgery for a ruptured aorta on Saturday and had a followup procedure on Sunday. His condition, as reported by the State Department, had been listed as critical.
[TPM SLIDESHOW: Richard Holbrooke, 1941-2010]
Speaking this evening at the State Department’s holiday reception for foreign ambassadors, before Holbrooke’s death was announced, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Holbrooke a “a giant of the diplomatic corps for almost 50 years.”
“He is practically synonymous with American foreign policy of that time period,” Clinton said. “He’s taken on the hardest assignments, from Vietnam to the Balkans to Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
Under Clinton, Holbrooke served in what may have been his most challenging role, as special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Reviews have been mixed on his performance in that role. President Obama tonight called Holbrooke a “truly unique figure.”
“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,” Obama said.
Holbrooke’s most enduring contribution to American diplomacy will probably be 1995’s Dayton Accords, which he spearheaded and which finally brought a peaceful if at times tenuous resolution to the conflict in Bosnia.
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, noted Holbrooke’s pivotal role in resolving the Bosnia crisis, in a statement tonight: “Richard never shied from the tough assignments, and he undertook his last one with the same determination that enabled him to – through sheer will – broker the peace agreement among the warring factions in Bosnia that resulted in the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995. He will always be remembered as a warrior for peace.”
Holbrooke advised Kerry during Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign and did the same for Hillary Clinton during her 2008 run. He was also ambassador to Germany, ambassador to the UN, and assistant secretary of state. He was an author, journalist, investment banker and Peace Corps official. He was a foreign service officer in Vietnam and later had a hand in writing the Pentagon Papers.
He is is survived by his wife Kati Morton, who was previously married to the late ABC newsman Peter Jennings, his sons David and Anthony and his step-children Elizabeth and Chris Jennings.
Hillary Clinton released the following statement this evening:
Tonight America has lost one of its fiercest champions and most dedicated public servants. Richard Holbrooke served the country he loved for nearly half a century, representing the United States in far-flung war-zones and high-level peace talks, always with distinctive brilliance and unmatched determination. He was one of a kind — a true statesman — and that makes his passing all the more painful.
From his early days in Vietnam to his historic role bringing peace to the Balkans to his last mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard helped shape our history, manage our perilous present, and secure our future. He was the consummate diplomat, able to stare down dictators and stand up for America’s interests and values even under the most difficult circumstances. 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. From Southeast Asia to post-Cold War Europe and around the globe, people have a better chance of a peaceful future because of Richard’s lifetime of service.
I had the privilege to know Richard for many years and to call him a friend, colleague and confidante. As Secretary of State, I have counted on his advice and relied on his leadership. This is a sad day for me, for the State Department and for the United States of America.
True to form, Richard was a fighter to the end. His doctors marveled at his strength and his willpower, but to his friends, that was just Richard being Richard. I am grateful for the tireless efforts of all the medical staff, and to everyone who sat by his side or wished him well in these final days.
Tonight my thoughts and prayers are with Richard’s beloved wife Kati, his sons David and Anthony, his step-children Elizabeth and Chris Jennings, his daughter-in-law Sarah, and all of his countless friends and colleagues.
