TERM OF SERVICE OF SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR WESTERN SAHARA TO END ON 31 MARCH
Press Release
SG/SM/6934
TERM OF SERVICE OF SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR WESTERN SAHARA TO END ON 31 MARCH
19990319 The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:The terms of service of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Western Sahara, Charles F. Dunbar, will come to an end on 31 March.
At the time of Mr. Dunbar's appointment in December 1997, it had been understood between him and the Secretary-General that he would serve as Special Representative for about one year, in the light of prospects that the referendum in Western Sahara would take place in December 1998. Since the holding of the referendum has been further delayed, Mr. Dunbar has requested that his resignation take effect on 31 March, when his present contract with the United Nations expires, so that he may resume his profession and be reunited with his family.
The Secretary-General has accepted Mr. Dunbar's resignation with regret. During his year-long service as Head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), Mr. Dunbar devoted considerable effort to the cause of peace in Western Sahara. The Secretary-General wishes to pay tribute to his Special Representative for his leadership and for the utmost level of dedication and professionalism with which he undertook this difficult mission. The Secretary-General would also like to take this opportunity to extend Mr. Dunbar his best wishes in his future endeavours. Mr. Dunbar has asked me to announce that he warmly reciprocates the Secretary-General's good wishes.
* *** *