On 12 December 2007, Russia lost one of its corner stone career diplomats – Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov, aged 78, whose unique international experience made him a highly regarded figure in international diplomacy.
Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov graduated from the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Relations (MGIMO) in 1952, and rose quickly through the diplomatic ranks to the post of First Deputy Foreign Minister. He played important roles in some of the watershed events of the Cold War, from arm talks with Washington to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan where he served as ambassador assisting with the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1988-89. He was then appointed Soviet representative to the United Nations, and became Russia’s ambassador after the Soviet Union collapsed a year later, serving the world body until President Boris Yeltsin appointed him as Ambassador to Washington where he stayed for five years. Before Washington and New York, he also served as Ambassador in New Delhi and Paris.
In 1999 he was appointed by Kofi Annan, as the High Level Coordinator on the important issue of missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals and the repatriation of Kuwaiti property. Last December Ambas-sador Vorontsov just returned back from Kuwait where he had held meetings and prepared a report for UN Secretary General, when he passed away in Moscow’s hospital.
« Yuli Vorontsov’s diplomatic talent shone in everything he was entrusted », the Russian Foreign Ministry said. « Wherever he worked his sharp intellect, high professionalism, a gifted negotiator, encyclopedic knowledge, fine knowledge of the countries where he worked and remarkable intelligence were brightly displayed. »
The International community is in sorrow. Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon had learned about Ambassador Vorontsov death « with profound sadness. » The UN Secretary General’s spokesman stated: « Throughout his career, including as his country’s First Deputy Minister and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, he showed dedication and tireless effort. He enjoyed the deep respect of all his colleagues. » The Secretary-General conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ambassador Vorontsov and to the Government of the Russian Federation. Ambassador Vorontsov will be mourned with profound respect and affection by friends around the world. »
President of the Security Council Marcello Spatafora gave the following statement « The members of the Security Council expressed their sadness regarding the recent death of Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov of Russia who was the Secretary General’s High Level Coordinator on the important issue of missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals and the repatriation of Kuwaiti property and expressed their gratitude for ambassadors Vorontsov’s outstanding contribution to the United Nations. »
The Deputy Chairman of the National Committee for Missing Persons and Prisoners of War Affairs in Kuwait made a statement where he recalled the legacy of Ambassador Vorontsov and of his efforts in respect of the prisoners of war. He emphasized that, ever since his appointment in 1999, pursuant to Security Council resolution 1284, Ambassador Vorontsov had played a vital role in informing the international community of the treatment of Kuwaiti prisoners by the former Iraqi regime, and stating that, « He was a dear friend, very honorable and trustworthy interlocutor. »
For those of us who had the chance of working with Ambassador Vorontsov, we highly cherish the memories of this great man, an outstanding diplomat highly respected and appreciated by his peers, and colleagues.
We here at Diva present our sincere condolences to his family, country and friends.
Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov graduated from the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Relations (MGIMO) in 1952, and rose quickly through the diplomatic ranks to the post of First Deputy Foreign Minister. He played important roles in some of the watershed events of the Cold War, from arm talks with Washington to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan where he served as ambassador assisting with the with- drawal of Soviet troops in 1988-89. He was then appointed Soviet representative to the United Nations, and became Russia’s ambassador after the Soviet Union collapsed a year later, serving the world body until President Boris Yeltsin appointed him as Ambassador to Washington where he stayed for five years. Before Washington and New York, he also served as Ambassador in New Delhi and Paris.
In 1999 he was appointed by Kofi Annan, as the High Level Coordinator on the important issue of missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals and the repatriation of Kuwaiti property. Last December Ambas-sador Vorontsov just returned back from Kuwait where he had held meetings and prepared a report for UN Secretary General, when he passed away in Moscow’s hospital.
« Yuli Vorontsov’s diplomatic talent shone in everything he was entrusted », the Russian Foreign Ministry said. « Wherever he worked his sharp intellect, high professionalism, a gifted negotiator, encyclopedic knowledge, fine knowledge of the countries where he worked and remarkable intelligence were brightly displayed. »
The International community is in sorrow. Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon had learned about Ambassador Vorontsov death « with profound sadness. » The UN Secretary General’s spokesman stated: « Throughout his career, including as his country’s First Deputy Minister and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, he showed dedication and tireless effort. He enjoyed the deep respect of all his colleagues. » The Secretary-General conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ambassador Vorontsov and to the Government of the Russian Federation. Ambassador Vorontsov will be mourned with profound respect and affection by friends around the world. »
President of the Security Council Marcello Spatafora gave the following statement « The members of the Security Council expressed their sadness regarding the recent death of Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov of Russia who was the Secretary General’s High Level Coordinator on the important issue of missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals and the repatriation of Kuwaiti property and expressed their gratitude for ambassadors Vorontsov’s outstanding contribution to the United Nations. »
The Deputy Chairman of the National Committee for Missing Persons and Prisoners of War Affairs in Kuwait made a statement where he recalled the legacy of Ambassador Vorontsov and of his efforts in respect of the prisoners of war. He emphasized that, ever since his appointment in 1999, pursuant to Security Council resolution 1284, Ambassador Vorontsov had played a vital role in informing the international community of the treatment of Kuwaiti prisoners by the former Iraqi regime, and stating that, « He was a dear friend, very honorable and trustworthy interlocutor. »
For those of us who had the chance of working with Ambassador Vorontsov, we highly cherish the memories of this great man, an outstanding diplomat highly respected and appreciated by his peers, and colleagues.
We here at Diva present our sincere condolences to his family, country and friends.
On 12 December 2007, Russia lost one of its corner stone career diplomats – Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov, aged 78, whose unique international experience made him a highly regarded figure in international diplomacy.
Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov graduated from the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Relations (MGIMO) in 1952, and rose quickly through the diplomatic ranks to the post of First Deputy Foreign Minister. He played important roles in some of the watershed events of the Cold War, from arm talks with Washington to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan where he served as ambassador assisting with the with- drawal of Soviet troops in 1988-89. He was then appointed Soviet representative to the United Nations, and became Russia’s ambassador after the Soviet Union collapsed a year later, serving the world body until President Boris Yeltsin appointed him as Ambassador to Washington where he stayed for five years. Before Washington and New York, he also served as Ambassador in New Delhi and Paris.
In 1999 he was appointed by Kofi Annan, as the High Level Coordinator on the important issue of missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals and the repatriation of Kuwaiti property. Last December Ambas-sador Vorontsov just returned back from Kuwait where he had held meetings and prepared a report for UN Secretary General, when he passed away in Moscow’s hospital.
« Yuli Vorontsov’s diplomatic talent shone in everything he was entrusted », the Russian Foreign Ministry said. « Wherever he worked his sharp intellect, high professionalism, a gifted negotiator, encyclopedic knowledge, fine knowledge of the countries where he worked and remarkable intelligence were brightly displayed. »
The International community is in sorrow. Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon had learned about Ambassador Vorontsov death « with profound sadness. » The UN Secretary General’s spokesman stated: « Throughout his career, including as his country’s First Deputy Minister and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, he showed dedication and tireless effort. He enjoyed the deep respect of all his colleagues. » The Secretary-General conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ambassador Vorontsov and to the Government of the Russian Federation. Ambassador Vorontsov will be mourned with profound respect and affection by friends around the world. »
President of the Security Council Marcello Spatafora gave the following statement « The members of the Security Council expressed their sadness regarding the recent death of Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov of Russia who was the Secretary General’s High Level Coordinator on the important issue of missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals and the repatriation of Kuwaiti property and expressed their gratitude for ambassadors Vorontsov’s outstanding contribution to the United Nations. »
The Deputy Chairman of the National Committee for Missing Persons and Prisoners of War Affairs in Kuwait made a statement where he recalled the legacy of Ambassador Vorontsov and of his efforts in respect of the prisoners of war. He emphasized that, ever since his appointment in 1999, pursuant to Security Council resolution 1284, Ambassador Vorontsov had played a vital role in informing the international community of the treatment of Kuwaiti prisoners by the former Iraqi regime, and stating that, « He was a dear friend, very honorable and trustworthy interlocutor. »
For those of us who had the chance of working with Ambassador Vorontsov, we highly cherish the memories of this great man, an outstanding diplomat highly respected and appreciated by his peers, and colleagues.
We here at Diva present our sincere condolences to his family, country and friends.
