Condolence Book for Ambassador Richard Holbrooke

Prague, December 15, 2010

Richard Holbrooke

In memory of the Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, who passed away on Monday, the Embassy of the United States of America in Prague invites those who wish to pay their respects to sign a Condolence Book.

The Condolence Book will be open to the public for signing on Thrusday, December 16, and Friday, December 17, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the American Center (Trziste Street 13, Prague 1 – Mala Strana, next to the Embassy).

Those who wish can also send condolence messages by e-mail to HolbrookeCondolences@state.gov.

Faxes can be sent to: +1-202-647-4142

Mailing Address:

S/SRAP
2201 C Street, NW
Room 1517
Washington, DC 20520
United States

Holbrooke Remembered as Diplomat and Statesman

Washington — Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, who died December 13 in Washington, is being remembered as a consummate diplomat, statesman and troubleshooter for the United States for nearly 50 years, from the war in Vietnam to conflict in the Balkans to the United Nations and finally as President Obama’s special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He was 69.

But Holbrooke will likely be remembered the most for his role in negotiating the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords that ended the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Obama paid homage to Holbrooke, who served five Democratic presidents, starting with John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s, as “a true giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer and more respected.”

“He was a truly unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country and pursuit of peace,” Obama said in a December 13 statement.

Holbrooke was serving as the State Department’s special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan at the time of his death. He died after complications from surgery to repair a torn aorta.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said 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.” More on America.gov