Richard C. Holbrooke, 69, an accomplished and widely praised U.S. diplomat who served every Democratic president for more than four decades, died late Monday in the nation’s capital. Holbrooke, president Barack Obama’s special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan at the time of his death, will be remembered by friend and foe alike as a tough but honorable diplomat who represented his nation and its interests ably while pursuing peaceful resolutions to extremely dangerous conflicts around the globe.
Holbrooke became ill during a meeting on Friday with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Doctors discovered a tear in his aorta and performed a 21-hour operation to repair it. Additional surgery on Sunday followed. Following the surgeries, Holbrooke remained in extremely critical condition until his death. His death ends a diplomatic career that began in the administration of President John F. Kennedy.
His diplomatic work took Holbrooke from Indochina in the Vietnam era to Europe, to Africa and Africa and ultimately to Southeast Asia. His most signal accomplishment in a foreign policy career notable for its successes was negotiating the Dayton Peace Accords that brought an end to the war in Bosnia. Many veteran diplomats and foreign policy experts initially thought the task impossible. Holbrooke proved them wrong,.
Holbrooke could be tactful and persuasive, but was not afraid to use other measures to make his point and to propel vital discussions forward. Indeed, his nicknames in diplomatic circles – “The Bulldozer” and Raging Bull” – are testament to his persuasive powers and his forcefulness. Though he could be abrasive, even his adversaries praised his skill and his passionate advocacy.
Radovan Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb leader who frequently had heated words with Holbrooke, expressed “sadness and regret” upon learning of his death. So did Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani leader Asif Ali Zardari, men who disagreed with Holbrooke as often as they agreed.
The praise was echoed by diplomats around the globe who had either worked with Holbrooke over the years or were familiar with his past work or recent efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan. His tasks in the latter, of course, are unfinished, but his determined effort to reconcile competing constituencies and to promote peace and stability in that region will be remembered.
President Obama praised Holbrooke as “a true giant …” and as “a truly unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country and pursuit of peace.” That’s an entirely apt epitaph for a man and dedicated public servant who willingly, capably and successfully gave voice to American foreign policy during critical periods of recent history.