HANS HAEKKERUP, HEAD OF UN KOSOVO MISSION, TO DEPART AT END OF 2001; SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES REGRET, DEEP APPRECIATION FOR SERVICE

HANS HAEKKERUP, HEAD OF UN KOSOVO MISSION, TO DEPART AT END OF 2001;

SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES REGRET, DEEP APPRECIATION FOR SERVICE

The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan, on the departure of Hans Haekkerup as head of UNMIK:

Hans Haekkerup, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo and head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), has decided, for personal reasons, to leave Kosovo when his current contract expires at the end of the year.  The Secretary-General greatly regrets

Mr. Haekkerup's departure, although he respects his decision.  Until a replacement is appointed, Charles Brayshaw, Principal Deputy Special Representative, will be in charge of the mission.

Mr. Haekkerup served as Special Representative since 13 January 2001.  Under his leadership, significant progress was made in implementing Security Council resolution 1244 (1999), and Kosovo is now on the verge of establishing Provisional Institutions of Self-Government to which substantial powers will be transferred from UNMIK.  The fulfilment of this key provision of Security Council resolution 1244 was made possible by Mr. Haekkerup’s skilful management of the process that led to the adoption of a constitutional framework and the successful election held last month.  He also succeeded in reaching an understanding with the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that places the relations between UNMIK and them on a sound footing.  Mr. Haekkerup did much to strengthen the rule of law in Kosovo and hands over a fully-funded budget to the incoming Kosovo administration.

The Secretary-General has expressed his deep appreciation to Mr. Haekkerup for his accomplishments in the service of the United Nations and wishes him every success for the future.

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