In The News

Former US Secretary of State passes away

Former US Secretary of State passes away

Former US Secretary of State Lawrence Eagelburger has passed away. He was 80.

Mr. Eagleburger, who was a seasoned diplomat, revelled in the fact that he was the second shortest serving Secretary of State in the country’s history and the only one not to have been confirmed by the Senate.

This had come about because he had taken over the job in August 1992 under Presdent Bush Snr, who within weeks had lost his battle for re-election.

Mr. Eagleburger was never afraid to express his views. As a young man he had spoken out against Senator Joe McCarthy’s anti-communist witch-hunts.

After university he entered foreign service with his career divided between foreign postings and positions in Washington — including in 1967 as special assistant to Dean Acheson who was adviser to President Johnston.

Two years later he was appointed as an executive assistant to Dr. Henry Kissinger in President Nixon’s administration.

He enjoyed one posting as an Ambassador — serving in Yugoslavia from 1977 to 1980, before returning to Washingston to take over the third most powerful position at the State Department during the Reagan era.

During the Falklands War Mr. Eagleburger pressed for the US to back the UK.

He received an honorary knighthood from the Queen in 1994.

In retirement he served on a number of foreign policy think tanks as well as serving on some company boards. 

He is survived by three sons, all of whom were christened Lawrence. 

 

View previous In the News items: Writer Josephine Hart passes away, Famous painter and sculptor passes away, Patients could be asked to state how they want to die, Hero of the Battle of the Bulge passes away, Driving force behind Top of the Pops dance troupe passes away, Tributes are paid to American musician and poet, Last of the original surrealist artists passes away, Tributes are paid to former top cricketer, Irish mountaineer dies during bid to climb Mount Everest, Former top sports producer and director passes away, Two young men die in weekend road accidents, Singer Kathy Kirby passes away, Former Irish Prime Minister to be given a State Funeral, Actor Edward Hardwicke passes away, Tributes are paid to leading businessman, Olympic champion dies in suspected suicide, Retailing trailblazer Leo Kahn passes away, Belfast pensioner passes away aged 100, Trumpeter in Penny Lane recording passes away, Former Northern Ireland Office Minister passes away, Tributes are paid to top cyclist killed during race event, Founding member of the Walker Brothers passes away, Golf legend Seve Ballesteros passes away, Tributes are paid to the actor and director Jackie Cooper, Remains of RAF officer are returned by North Korea, Last veteran of the First World War passes away, Mummified body of Hollywood actress found in her home, Boxing legend Henry Cooper passes away, Tributes are paid to travel writer and former comedian, Famous mountain climber dies in accident, The inventor of the teleprompter passes away, Tributes are paid to punk singer Poly Styrene, Former Unionist MP Bill Craig passes away, So called father of the compact disc passes away, Comedy writer John Sullivan passes away, Victoria Cross holder Tul Bahadur Pun passes away, Man dies in early morning road accident, Former Doctor Who actress passes away, Human remains are found at a house in Belfast, Oldest man in the world passes away, Pensioner dies days after road accident, Comedy actor Trevor Bannister passes away, Cyclist dies in early morning road accident or Director of Arsenal football club passes away

 

If you have a relative or a friend who has passed away and feel they should be mentioned in our In the News section, then please email us.