RAFEEUDDIN AHMED NAMED SPECIAL ADVISER BY SECRETARY-GENERAL

RAFEEUDDIN AHMED NAMED SPECIAL ADVISER BY SECRETARY-GENERAL

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General met today with Members of the Security Council to inform them of his decision to formalize the role of Rafeeuddin Ahmed as his Special Adviser, at the Under-Secretary-General level.  Mr. Ahmed has, since February of this year, assisted the United Nations System in thinking about possible United Nations involvement in a post-war Iraq.

Given the pace of events in Iraq and the widespread discussions on a potential role for the United Nations in post-war Iraq, Mr. Ahmed will now act as the focal point in the United Nations system for discussions on the various scenarios for such a role.  He will also be advising the Secretary-General on any role that the Security Council might eventually mandate the United Nations system to carry out once the current military campaign has come to an end.

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