Paul Nitze - Ave atque vale

Space War ^ | WASHINGTON (AFP) Oct 20, 2004 | Staff

[Perdogg]

Former arms control negotiator for Reagan, dead at 97

Paul Nitze, a former top Pentagon official who served as the senior arms control adviser to president Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, died at the age of 97, the US military announced Wednesday. A spokesman for the US Navy -- a branch that Nitze once headed -- confirmed his death.

Nitze served in several top government posts, including secretary of the navy 1963-67 and deputy secretary of defense 1967-69.

Nitze headed the US arms negotiationg team with the Soviet Union in the 1980s under Reagan.

The Harvard graduate worked for many years as an investment banker before taking his first government post in 1940 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In 1943 Nitze co-founded the Washington-based School of Advanced International Studies, an influential graduate studies center that in 1950 became a division of The Johns Hopkins University.

[Perdogg]

Rest in Peace.

[operation clinton cleanup]

I had no idea Paul Nitze was that age. He was one of my hero's, along with Kenneth Adelman in standing up to the Soviets in the 80's.

[Rockingham]

Nitze was derided by conservatives in the 1960's as dovish and complacent about the Soviet threat. During the Carter years though, Nitze's views changed and he became a prominent and effective advocate for a stronger military and a hawkish foreign policy. To Reagan's credit and the country's benefit, in his campaign and as President, he used Nitze's knowledge and talents to good effect in easing the Soviet Union toward the graveyard. Nitze deserves to be remembered with respect and honor.

[hosepipe]

R.I.P.. Paul