Warren Christopher, secretary of state in the Clinton administration, died Friday at the age of 85. Christopher was a skilled negotiator and figured prominently in helping resolve a number of crises during the Clinton and Carter years. –JCL

The Guardian:

Sonja Steptoe of the law firm O’Melveny & Myers, where Christopher was a senior partner, said Christopher died at his home in Los Angeles on Friday due to complications from bladder and kidney cancer.

As the top American statesman under Bill Clinton, Christopher was a behind-the-scenes negotiator. Often called the “stealth” secretary of state, Christopher was known for his understated, self-effacing manner. He had taken the job in January 1993 at the age of 68 and clocked up 704,487 air miles travelling the world.

A loyal Democrat and meticulous lawyer, Christopher told the Associated Press his proudest accomplishments included a role in promoting a ban on nuclear weapons tests and the extension of curbs on the proliferation of weapons technology.

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