André Adam (diplomat)

André Adam (10 September 1936 – 22 March 2016) was a Belgian-French diplomat. His postings during his lengthy diplomatic career included Consul General of Belgium in Los Angeles (1982–1986), Ambassador to Algeria (1986–1990), Ambassador to Zaire (1990–1991), Ambassador to the United States (1994–1998), and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (1998–2001). He was assassinated in the double suicide bombing at Brussels Airport on 22 March 2016.[1][2]

André Adam
Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations
In office
8 September 1998 – April 2001
MonarchAlbert II
Preceded byAlexis Reyn
Succeeded byJean de Ruyt
Belgian Ambassador to the United States
In office
3 October 1994 – 1998
MonarchAlbert II
Preceded byJuan Cassiers
Succeeded byAlexis Reyn
Belgian Ambassador to Zaire
In office
27 April 1990 – 18 August 1991
MonarchBaudouin
Preceded byAndré Onkelinx
Succeeded byJean Coene
Belgian Ambassador to Algeria
In office
1986–1990
MonarchBaudouin
Preceded byMaurice Vaisiere
Succeeded byDirk Lettens
Personal details
Born(1936-09-10)10 September 1936
Etterbeek, Brussels, Belgium
Died22 March 2016(2016-03-22) (aged 79)
Zaventem, Flemish Brabant, Belgium
Manner of deathAssassination
NationalityBelgian
French
SpouseDanielle David
Alma materFree University of Brussels

Early life and education

Adam was born in Etterbeek, Brussels, on 10 September 1936.[3] He attended the Free University of Brussels receiving degrees in political and diplomatic science and public administration.[4]

Diplomatic career

After a short stint as a research assistant at the Free University of Brussels, Adam entered the foreign service in 1962 and was posted in Havana, where he met his wife, Danielle David,[5] after which he served in Paris, Kinshasa, and London.[6] In 1979, he became chief of staff to Henri Simonet, then the Belgian foreign minister.[7] He later served as the Belgian Consul General in Los Angeles from 1982 till 1986, Belgium's Ambassador to Algeria (1986 - 1990) and Zaire (1990 - 1991).

Adam's time in Zaire was marked by tense bilateral relations between Belgium and Zaire. On 24 April 1990, Zaire's President Mobutu Sese Seko announced the end of the country's one-party system and promised a series of measures to democratise Zaire. On the night of 11—12 May, however, student protests at the Lubumbashi campus of the National University of Zaire were met with bloody repression, resulting in many casualties as established by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Summary or Arbitrary Executions of the Commission on Human Rights Amos Wako.[8] Adam visited the Lubumbashi premises. The bloody repression had profound repercussion to Belgo-Zairean relations, which were effectively put on hold until Mobutu's ousting from power by Laurent-Désiré Kabila. Adam further had a meeting with Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya regarding Mobutu in March 1991 which resulted in the writing of an "explosive note" about the situation by the ambassador.[9] Adam left Zaire in August 1991, right before the week-long looting spree of the national army in September 1991 Kinshasa.[10]

Afterwards, Adam was the Ambassador to the United States from 1994 till 1998.[7] He presented his credentials to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in 1998, holding office as Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.[11]

Adam also served as the Director General of Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1991 until 1994.[12]

Later life

Adam retired from the diplomatic service in 2001.[13] After his retirement, he and his wife moved to Larressingle, southwestern France, where they lived until his death. Adam became a French citizen in 2006.[5]

Death

Adam was assassinated in the double suicide bombing in the departure hall of Brussels Airport in Zaventem on the morning of 22 March 2016, as he and his wife waited for their daughter, who was due to fly with them to the United States.[5][14]

References
  1. Delcorde, Raoul (2016-03-27). "André Adam, un homme de paix tué lors des attentats du 22 mars". La Libre Belgique. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  2. Bilefsky, Dan (2016-03-26). "André Adam, Retired Diplomat and Brussels Victim". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  3. "André Adam, l'ambassadeur de Larressingle". Le Soir (in French). 2016-04-26. Archived from the original on 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  4. "New Permanent Representative Of Belgium Presents Credentials". Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. United Nations. 1998-09-08. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  5. "André Adam - victime des attentats de Bruxelles". La Libre Belgique (in French). Archived from the original on 2016-05-01. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  6. Johnston, Jules (2016-03-26). "Former Belgian ambassador to US killed in Brussels attacks". Politico. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  7. "Honorary Ambassador André Adam victim of 22 March Brussels attacks". Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  8. "Question of the Violation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Any Part of the World, With Particular Reference to Colonial and Other Dependent Countries and Territories". United Nations Digital Library. 28 April 1992. Retrieved 23 February 2021.pdf
  9. "Une note explosive de l'ambassadeur belge sur Mobutu". Le Soir. 2 May 1991.
  10. Bill Berkeley (August 1993). "Zaire: An African Horror Story". The Atlantic. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  11. "André Adam". El Mundo. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  12. "Honorary Ambassador André Adam victim of 22 March Brussels attacks". Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs. 2016-03-29. Archived from the original on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
  13. "Diplomatic Changes Royal Decree". Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  14. "Il était l'ambassadeur de Larressingle". La Dépêche du Midi (in French). 31 March 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
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