The height of his diplomatic career came at a time of crucial moments in our history, including the end of the Cold War and development of democracy in central Europe, the first Gulf War, and German reunification. His management of seemingly intractable situations in Yugoslavia and the Middle East firmly set him apart from his colleagues; the world today is better off for it. He was, as Jim Baker put it, “as good as they come.”

I first met Larry Eagleburger thirty years ago when Larry was asked by the White House to ‘take responsibility’ within the U.S. Government for dealing with the Institute for East-West Security Studies (EWI’s name in 1980).  Larry was then Undersecretary of State. He bemusedly and quickly nicknamed me; thereafter, for three decades I was always introduced by Larry to others as “my favorite pink-o.” When asked by a former EWI Director why he did that, he responded that “nobody brought more important persons from the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies to the United States or Western Europe during the Cold War than young Mroz.” 

Twenty eight years later, Larry hosted for EWI a key gathering in Washington of top GOP leaders to meet with top Communist Party leaders. The topic was whether it was possible to create a political party backchannel between the CPC and the Democratic and Republican Parties. Several other prominent GOP personalities had declined to host that session. Larry said “let’s do it” and came in from Charlottesville in his wheelchair to lead the session. Secretary Madeleine Albright hosted the Democratic Party side for EWI that same day.  The rest is history—the three party talks are now a feature of political life. At the start of the GOP meeting, the Secretary loudly addressed me across the room with a greeting “well Mroz, some things just don’t change, do they!”  

For our Institute, Larry Eagleburger will always be known as a founding godfather and crucial player in enabling EWI to take risks in building trust and seeking solutions. His involvement with EWI has been constant and frequent. More than a decade ago, Larry Eagleburger told a large international gathering “This EastWest Institute claims it is a family. Let us be honest. It is a strange family but one I am proud to belong to. Let’s face it, we are all people who would probably never have worked together had it not been for the vision, values and action-orientation of EWI’s founding fathers.”  Secretary Eagleburger frequently told the story of the “young man who could not understand the word ‘NO.’”  Larry was frequently providing advice and using his vast network to help EWI.  Few earned their way into my heart as did Larry Eagleburger.

Please join me in offering my deepest condolences to Larry’s family. Today, we mourn the loss of a great man, a loyal friend and visionary. We will miss you, Mr. Secretary.

John Edwin Mroz