SECRETARY-GENERAL’S LATIN AMERICA SPECIAL ADVISER DEPARTS ON FIVE-DAY MISSION TO VENEZUELA

SECRETARY-GENERAL’S LATIN AMERICA SPECIAL ADVISER DEPARTS

ON FIVE-DAY MISSION TO VENEZUELA

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

Diego Cordovez, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Latin America Issues, will be leaving for a five-day mission to Venezuela this afternoon.  The purpose of his visit is to keep the Secretary-General abreast of the latest developments regarding the referendum scheduled for 15 August.  Mr. Cordovez will be meeting with representatives from the Government, opposition, media, civil society, and international players, such as the Organization of American States, the CarterCenter and the Group of Friends.

The Secretary-General has been closely monitoring developments in Venezuela, and met with Mr. Cordovez yesterday to discuss the details of the mission.

Diego Cordovez was a staff member of the United Nations for 25 years.  From 1981 to 1988 he served as the Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs.  From 1988 to 1992 he was the Foreign Minister of Ecuador. 

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