The Ministry of Foreign Affairs deeply regrets the sad demise of the distinguished diplomat and James Holger Blair, occurred last August 1. James Holger entered the Foreign Service in 1949 and in his outstanding career he performed duties at the Embassies of Chile to the United State, the Soviet Union, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Democratic Republic of Germany as well as to the Organization of American States and the United Nations. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he also served as Desk Manager for the Minister, Director of Planning and Assistant Director of the "Andrés Bello" Diplomatic Academy.
He also worked as a United Nations Official, serving as Advisor for the United Nations forces in Lebanon, as Alternate Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Cyprus and as Director of the UN Information Center in Washington.
His academic achievements include having been a fellow of the Universities of Georgetown and Virginia, holding a Master's Degree in International Affairs and Doctor of History from the University of Columbia.
Since 1990, he represented Chile as Alternate Representative to the United Nations, being concurrent Ambassador to Cyprus and then, from 1992 to 1997, as Ambassador to the Russian Federation. In 1999, the United Nations Secretary General appointed him Special Representative and Chief of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to express its most sincere condolences to his family.