KAMALESH SHARMA, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE-DESIGNATE OF SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR EAST TIMOR

KAMALESH SHARMA, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE-DESIGNATE

OF SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR EAST TIMOR

Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced today his intention, subject to the Security Council’s approval of the proposed establishment of a successor mission to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), to appoint Kamalesh Sharma (India) as his Special Representative for East Timor and head of that Mission, with effect from 21 May 2002.  Mr. Sharma will succeed Sergio Vieira de Mello, who has served as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for East Timor and Transitional Administrator since 17 November 1999 with great distinction. 

Mr. Sharma has served in the Indian Foreign Service since 1965.  He has held several ambassadorial positions as well as senior positions within the ministries of the Government of India.  He is currently the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in New York.  Previously, he served as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador to the German Democratic Republic, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, head of the Divisions of Economic Relations, International Organizations and Policy Planning, Indian Foreign Office, and Head of Division in the Ministry of Finance of the Government of India.  

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