- FILE : British Foreign Secretary William Hague (L) talks with US envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke prior to the start of a 'Friends of Democratic Pakistan' meeting on October 15,2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. Also attending the meeting of 26 countries and international institutions are a slew of foreign ministers and dignitaries, including US envoy for the region, Richard Holbrooke. Pakistan is ready to facilitate talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban in the interests of regional peace, the country's foreign minister said today. (Photo by GEORGES GOBET/AFP/Getty Images)
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December 14, 2010 (KATAKAMI / FCO.GOV.UK) --- Foreign Secretary's message of condolence on the death of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke.
On learning of the death of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said:
"I learned with sadness of the death last night of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke.
Ambassador Holbrooke was truly one of the best and the brightest of his generation. Whether as a young State Department officer in Vietnam or as Ambassador to Germany and the UN he has served his nation with distinction and integrity.
Ambassador Holbrooke made an enduring peace his goal in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He conceived and led the 1995 Dayton Peace Process, bringing to a halt the most vicious conflict in Europe since the end of the Second World War. In doing so, he exemplified the finest qualities of American and international diplomatic leadership. The principles he established in the Dayton/Paris Accords including on inter-ethnic balance, robust peace-keeping and of regional commitments are a model for others to follow. We will be vigilant in preserving the peace he secured.
Since I started in the job of Foreign Secretary, I have worked closely with Ambassador Holbrooke on Afghanistan and Pakistan where he has played a key role in establishing and developing the international contact group to support stability and peace in the region. His work will continue.
On behalf of the British Government and his many friends here in the UK I send my condolences to Ambassador Holbrooke's family and to Secretary Clinton and the American people for this sad loss." (*)
