Though Dogged by Scandal, Brown Remembered
As Champion of United States Business
(LONDON, April 4 — Reuters) President Bill Clinton mourned a talented friend and world leaders from Tokyo to Bonn expressed shock on Thursday at the death of U.S. Commerce Secretary Ron Brown in an aircrash near Dubrovnik.
Brown's blend of cheery amiability and toughness had served his country well in vigorous efforts to expand access to world markets. If at home he had been dogged by scandal, abroad he won tributes even in climes often less than sympathetic to U.S. commerce.
"He was a good friend, and I have good memories of our times together," Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto said." He was very logical and he was somebody that I could talk to." President Clinton, his voice choked with emotion, described Brown, 54, as "one of the best advisers and ablest people I ever knew. Those of us who loved him will always be grateful for his friendship and his warmth," Clinton told Commerce Department employees shortly after news of the crash on Wednesday.
Brown, who had been scheduled to accompany Clinton on a three-day visit to Japan from April 16, achieved some his greatest successes in the Far East. During a 1994 visit to Beijing, Brown helped seal billions of dollars in business deals. "He showed them respect when he came to China," a U.S. businessman in the Chinese capital said. "But he was no patsy... He could be very blunt with his hosts."
Brown had come to former Yugoslavia this week at the head of a high-level business delegation exploring possible investment in rebuilding a region devastated by war.
Reaction in a Stunned Bosnia and Across Europe
Bosnian Federation Vice-President Ejup Ganic said on Thursday the death of U.S. Commerce Secretary Ron Brown in a plane crash was a tragedy for the United States and for Bosnia. Prime Minister Hasan Muratovic said: "We were preparing to receive (Brown's) delegation... this is a loss for all business world which works with (the) United States." Muratovic said Brown and his team were due in Sarajevo to discuss the disbursement of $200 million worth of U.S. reconstruction aid this year. "It will reflect on the beginning of the realization of this work... there will be some consequences. It will take time until a new until a new team is consolidated,'' he said.Carl Bildt, in charge of international civilian operations in the Bosnia peace accords, described Brown's death as tragic. "(Brown was making) certain that the image you get from Bosnia is not only soldiers and tanks and burning houses," he said. Bildt said he was trying to raise another $1.2 billion to rebuild the war-torn country and was headed to Malaysia and to Japan to continue his quest for reconstruction funds.
World Trade Organization Director-General Renato Ruggiero said the world had lost "a champion of free trade."
German Chancellor Helmut Kohl sent a telegram of condolence to Washington. "I would like you (President Clinton) to convey my deepest sympathy and that of my countrymen to the widow and family of the minister and the relatives of the delegation members who were killed," he said.
United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali said he was shocked and saddened by the death of Brown, who was killed along with 32 others when his military aircraft hit a mountain in bad weather.
"His current mission was regarded as particularly important and deeply appreciated in view of the desperate need of the peoples of the former Yugoslavia for international assistance in their process of peace building," a U.N. spokesman said.
COMPLETE CRASH DETAILS
CRASH COVERAGE
ROUGH TERRAIN HAMPERS RESCUE WORKERS
PASSENGER LIST UPDATE
BROWN'S PLANE MILITARY VERSION OF 737
SECRETARY OF COMMERCE ON BOSNIAN TRADE MISSION
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