Afghan president remembers 'veteran and seasoned diplomat' Holbrooke

Tue, 14 Dec 2010

Kabul - President Hamid Karzai said Tuesday that he was saddened by the death of Richard Holbrooke, the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, a "veteran and seasoned diplomat."

Expressing his condolences to the American people, Holbrooke's family and friends, Karzai said in a statement Holbrooke "had served greatly the government and the people of the United States."

Holbrooke, 69, died Monday after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured artery.

The deceased diplomat had testy relations with Karzai, strained since a heated meeting to discuss last year's fraud-tainted presidential elections.

Karzai called Holbrooke's wife on Sunday to pass on his best wishes.

Karl Eikenberry, the US ambassador to Kabul, called Holbrooke "a champion for the people of Afghanistan."

"Our efforts in Afghanistan lost a powerful advocate today," Eikenberry said in the statement issued by the US embassy, calling Holbrooke a partner of those who try to foster peace.

"In Afghanistan, we will all take time in coming days to mourn his loss, pray for his family, celebrate his life and carry on the work that he devoted himself to so fiercely," Eikenberry said Monday.

US General David H Petraeus, the top commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, said the death of the "diplomatic wingman" was a tragic loss for the region.

Holbrooke was a true titan in the diplomatic arena and a central figure in the effort in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Petraeus said.

Holbrooke was appointed special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan after US President Barack Obama took office in early 2009.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/358054,veteran-seasoned-diplomat-holbrooke.html.