In Memoriam: Former US Ambassador to Bulgaria James Pardew Died Aged 77

James Pardew, who was United States ambassador to Bulgaria from 2002 to 2005, has died at the age of 77.

Born in Memphis Tennessee and raised in Jonesboro, Pardew graduated in journalism from Arkansas State University, later earning a masters degree in political science from Loyola University.

Following his commissioning as an officer, Pardew, who joined the ROTC at university and was a US War College graduate, served in intelligence in Vietnam and subsequently in several other countries.

His posts included Director of Foreign Intelligence and Chief of Current Intelligence at the Pentagon. The recipient of four decorations, he left the military in 1994 with the rank of colonel.

Pardew played a key role in the negotiations towards the Dayton Accord, which led to him being awarded the Department of State Distinguished Honor Award and the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service for his contributions to peace in Bosnia.

He went on to serve as the US negotiator in the process that resulted in the Ohrid Agreement in 2001 in today's Republic of North Macedonia. That agreement averted a deepening of conflict in the region.

During Pardew's term as US ambassador in Sofia, Bulgaria joined Nato and agreed with the US on a joint military training facility in Bulgaria.

In confidential diplomatic communications disclosed by Wikileaks, Pardew was forthright about the issue of organised crime and corruption in Bulgaria.

In 2005, he wrote that "despite continuing pressure from the US and the EU, past Bulgarian governments have done little to reduce the presence of organized crime.

"As a result, OC has increased its influence and is able to operate with virtual impunity. The Bulgarian public...