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Ex-Secretary of State Warren Christopher Dies

Former top diplomat was 85

By Polly Davis Doig, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 19, 2011 6:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, the man Jimmy Carter proclaimed "the best public servant I ever knew," has died of complications of bladder and kidney cancer at age 85. Christopher headed the State Department during Bill Clinton's first term, and was instrumental in peace efforts in the Middle East and Bosnia during that time, reports the AP.

He also supervised the Florida recount in 2000's contested presidential election, negotiations in the Iran hostage situation, and a commission that oversaw reforms in Los Angeles in the wake of the Rodney King beating. As Christopher stepped down from the State Department in 1996, Clinton saluted him as having both "left the mark of his hand on history" and "the only man ever to eat M&Ms on Air Force One with a fork."

Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher pauses during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on war powers in the 21st century on in this April 28, 2009 file photo. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

President Clinton looks on as outgoing Secretary of State Warren Christopher speaks at the White House in this Nov. 7, 1996 file photo. (AP Photo/Denis Paquin, File)

Secretary of State Warren Christopher talks to reporters during a news conference at the Sheraton hotel in Damascus, Syria, in this Jan. 12, 1996 file photo. (AP PHOTO/SALEH RIFAI, File)

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Ex-Secretary of State Warren Christopher Dies

Former top diplomat was 85

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