SPECIAL ADVISER EGELAND APPOINTED SECRETARY-GENERAL OF NORWEGIAN RED CROSS

Following is the text of a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

It has been announced in Oslo that Jan Egeland, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Colombia, will become the next Secretary-General of the Norwegian Red Cross from January 2002.  The Secretary-General would like to congratulate Mr. Egeland warmly on this appointment.  Mr. Egeland has made a decisive contribution to the United Nations’ support for Colombia’s efforts to  end violence and bring peace to the country.  He has worked tirelessly to promote peace, human rights, humanitarian assistance and development in the country.

Mr. Egeland will continue in his functions as Special Adviser until January.  Arrangements for his succession will be announced separately.

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