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Bill Richardson, the former US ambassador to the UN under Bill Clinton, passed away at the age of 75. Known for his influential role in Democratic politics and his efforts to rescue detained Americans, Richardson died peacefully in Chatham, Massachusetts.
The Richardson Center for Global Engagement, an organization he founded, acknowledged Richardson’s commitment to public service, stating, “He spent his entire life dedicated to helping others, whether in government or through his advocacy for the release of wrongfully detained individuals. Governor Richardson was always willing to engage in discussions with the promise of securing freedom for those affected.”
Richardson, born in California in 1947, was raised in Mexico City. He later pursued his education in the United States, attending Tufts University and earning a master’s degree at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. His political career began in 1983 when he was elected as a US congressman, a position he held until 1997.
In 1997, President Bill Clinton appointed Richardson as the US ambassador to the UN, a role he fulfilled for 18 months before transitioning to become the energy secretary. Upon leaving office, Richardson successfully ran for governor of New Mexico, serving for eight years from 2003 to 2011. During this time, he also sought the presidency in 2008 and was considered as a potential vice-president by Barack Obama.
Richardson’s prominent contribution to US diplomacy lay in his ability to engage in negotiations with formidable adversaries, earning him the nickname “under-secretary of thugs.” He conducted talks with Saddam Hussein, the late Iraqi dictator, as well as leaders and high-ranking officials from North Korea, Myanmar, and Russia, in efforts to secure the release of wrongfully detained Americans.
Notably, Richardson played a key role in facilitating the return of Brittney Griner, an American basketball player detained in Russia. This diplomatic triumph included the exchange of Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms dealer in the US, for Griner’s release back to the United States.
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