SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS CARL BILDT OF SWEDEN, EDUARD KUKAN OF SLOVAKIA AS HIS ENVOYS FOR BALKANS
Press Release
SG/A/694
SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS CARL BILDT OF SWEDEN, EDUARD KUKAN OF SLOVAKIA AS HIS ENVOYS FOR BALKANS
19990507 The following statement was made today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan:As many of you know, I approached four outstanding candidates to consider serving as one of my two envoys for the Balkans. I am most grateful to all of them for allowing their names to be considered for such a challenging assignment when they have so many other demands on their time.
Throughout this process, I have been mindful of the importance of the extensive diplomatic and coordination responsibilities I intend my envoys to undertake. The ministerial discussions in Bonn today have also highlighted the importance of selecting at least one envoy with particular experience in the area of post-conflict peace-building.
I have accordingly asked Carl Bildt of Sweden and Eduard Kukan of Slovakia to serve as my envoys. I am grateful to them and to their Governments for agreeing to let them serve the international community at this critical time.
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