SECRETARY-GENERAL ACCEPTS RETIREMENT OF CHEF DE CABINET IQBAL RIZA,

PRAISING MORE THAN 25 YEARS OF GALLANT SERVICE TO UN

 

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s statement concerning the retirement of his Chef de Cabinet, Iqbal Riza, issued today in New York:

It is with very mixed emotions that I have accepted the long-standing request of my Chef de Cabinet, Mr. Iqbal Riza, to retire from the services of the United Nations effective 15 January 2005.

Since 1978, Mr. Riza has served gallantly the United Nations in various capacities at Headquarters, as well as in the field.  From Iran/Iraq, Nicaragua, El Salvador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).  He has served as my Chef de Cabinet since 1997 and has always provided me with wise and trusted counsel.  Mr. Riza has, throughout these years of service to the United Nations, carried out his duties with unflinching dedication to the ideals and the principles of the Organization.

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