Death of Ambassador Morris Draper

Death of Ambassador Morris Draper, It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Ambassador Morris Draper, a career diplomat and member of the State Department's Foreign Service for over 35 years. Ambassador Draper served the Department of State and the American people faithfully in diplomatic postings in the Near East, Europe, and East Asia, including as Consul General in Jerusalem and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. He was a key player in the Camp David Peace Accords and the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty of 1979. From 1981-1983, he served as President Reagan's Special Middle East Envoy in negotiations regarding the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon. In many ways our current efforts on behalf of a peaceful, sovereign, independent Lebanon build upon the work Ambassador Draper began over two decades ago.

Ambassador Draper was known to his friends in the Department of State as a warm and passionate colleague dedicated to the pursuit of peace. He will be missed. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

SOURCE: state.gov 2005/444 Press Statement Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC April 26, 2005