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Breaking News

Cyrus Vance Dies

Aired January 12, 2002 - 21:47   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: We have some breaking news at the CNN center, and it is sad news, indeed, which we attribute to the Associated Press. Cyrus Vance, who served as secretary of state under former President Jimmy Carter, has died. According to his son, who had told the Associated Press, his father died at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, although the cause of death is still unknown.

But you might recall that Cyrus Vance was a quiet and self- effacing peacemaker. He had a reputation, though, for several remarkable results in his time in office. He had a key role in normalizing relations with China. He was taking part in new Panama Canal treaties, and he negotiated -- or helped at least negotiate -- a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.

He had a long and distinguished diplomatic career that spanned more than 30 years, be he ended up resigning from the Carter administration after the botched attempt to rescue those American hostages in Iran. But definitely, a witness to history.

We will have much more on this story as it develops.

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