SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEATH OF JAIME DE PINIES, VETERAN SPANISH DIPLOMAT, FORMER UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT

SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEATH OF JAIME DE PINIES, VETERAN SPANISH

DIPLOMAT, FORMER UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT

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

The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the death of Ambassador Jaime de Pinies, the veteran Spanish diplomat and former President of the United Nations General Assembly.  In addition to serving a distinguished term as President of the fortieth General Assembly, Mr. de Pinies represented his country at 28 General Assembly sessions and served as Spain's Permanent Representative to the United Nations for a total of 16 years.  Throughout his career, he displayed exceptional devotion to the work and principles of the United Nations.  The Secretary-General conveys his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. de Pinies.

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