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In memory of Ambassador YuIi Vorontsov,

Special Envoy of the United Nations, Secretary-General for CIS and
former First-Deputy Foreign-Minister of the USSR

On 12 December 2007, of Russia who was the
Secretary General's High
Russia lost one of its
Level Coordinator on the
corner stone career
important issue of missing
diplomats - Ambassador
Kuwaiti and third country
Yuli Vorontsov, aged 78,
nationals and the repatria-
whose unique international
tion of Kuwaiti property
experience made him a
and expressed their gratitu-
highly regarded figure in
de for ambassadors
international diplomacy.
Vorontsov 's outstanding
contribution to the United
Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov
Nations."
graduated from the
Moscow State Institute of
Relations
Foreign The Deputy Chairman of
(MGIMO) in 1952, and the National Committee for
Missing Persons and
rose quickly through the
diplomatic ranks to the post Prisoners of War Affairs in
Kuwait made a statement
of First Deputy Foreign
where he recalled the lega-
Minister. He played impor-
cy of Ambassador
tant roles in some of the
Vorontsov and of his efforts
watershed events of the
in respect of the prisoners
Cold War, from arm talks
with Washington to the of war. He emphasized that,
invasion
of
Soviet ever since his appointment
Afghanistan where he returned back from Kuwait man stated: "Throughout in 1999, pursuant to
served as ambassador where he had held meetings his career; including as his Security Council resolution
Ambassador
assisting with the with- and prepared a report for country's First Deputy 1284,
drawal of Soviet troops in UN Secretary General, Minister and Permanent Vorontsov had played a
1988-89. He was then when he passed away in Representative to the vital role in informing the
appointed Soviet represen- Moscow's hospital. United Nations, he showed international community of
tative to the United Nations, dedication and tireless the treatment of Kuwaiti
and became Russia's "Yuli Vorontsov's diploma- effort. He enjoyed the deep prisoners by the former
ambassador after the Soviet tic talent shone in every- respect of all his collea- Iraqi regime, and stating
Union collapsed a year thing he was entrusted", the gues." The Secretary- that, "He was a dear friend,
later, serving the world Russian Foreign Ministry General conveyed his very honorable and trust-
body until President Boris said. "Wherever he worked heartfelt condolences to the worthy interlocutor"
Yeltsin appointed him as his sharp intellect, high family of Ambassador
Ambassador to Washington professionalism, a gifted Vorontsov and to the For those of us who had the
where he stayed for five negotiator, encyclopedic Government of the Russian chance of working with
years. Before Washington knowledge, fine knowledge Federation. Ambassador Ambassador Vorontsov, we
the
cherish
and New York, he also ser- of the countries where he Vomntsov will be mourned highly
ved as Ambassador in New worked and remarkable with profound respect and memories of this great man,
Delhi and Paris. intelligence were brightly affection by friends around an outstanding diplomat
displayed" the world" highly respected and
In 1999 he was appointed appreciated by his peers,
by Kofi Annan, as the High The International commu- President of the Security and colleagues.
Level Coordinator on the nity is in sorrow. Secretary Council Marcello Spatafora
important issue of missing General of the United gave the following state- We here at Diva present our
Kuwaiti and third country Nations, Ban Ki-moon had ment "The members of the sincere condolences to his
nationals and the repatria- learned about Ambassador Security Council expressed family, country and friends.
tion of Kuwaiti property. Vorontsov death "with pro- their sadness regarding the
death
of
Last December Ambas- found sadness." The UN recent
sador Vorontsov just Secretary General's spokes- Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov
12011 Diva 11

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