Biographical Note                                          

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS NICOLAS MICHEL OF SWITZERLAND AS NEW

UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR LEGAL AFFAIRS AND UN LEGAL COUNSEL

secretary-general Names Independent Panel to Probe ‘Oil-for-Food’ Allegations

NEW YORK, 21 April–- United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan today announced the formation of the independent panel that will conduct an inquiry into allegations of impropriety in the administration and management of the Iraq “oil-for-food” programme.

Secretary-General names Advisory Board on Water AND Sanitation

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has used this year’s observance of World Water Day to announce the establishment of an Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, to galvanize global action on these issues, which are central to the world’s hopes of eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development.

Biographical Note                                          

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS ELISABETH LINDENMAYER OF FRANCE AS ASSISTANT

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO POST OF DEPUTY CHEF DE CABINET

Biographical Note                                          

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS ANGELA KANE OF GERMANY AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL

FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT

Biographical Note                                         

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS JOHN REGINALD DUMAS OF TRINIDAD

AND TOBAGO SPECIAL ADVISER ON HAITI

The Secretary-General, following consultations with the Chairmen of the five regional groups of Member States, today informed the General Assembly of his intention to appoint Justice Louise Arbour of Canada as the new United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights.

JEAN ARNAULT APPOINTED SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR AFGHANISTAN

AND HEAD OF UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN

MAJOR-GENERAL ALAIN PELLEGRINI APPOINTED FORCE COMMANDER

OF UNITED NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON (UNIFIL)

Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced today the appointment of Major-General Alain Pellegrini of France as Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) to succeed Major-General Lalit Mohan Tewari who relinquishes his post on 17 February 2004.

MAJOR-GENERAL BALA NANDA SHARMA APPOINTED FORCE COMMANDER OF UNITED

NATIONS DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE (UNDOF)

Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced today the appointment of Major-General Bala Nanda Sharma of Nepal as Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) to succeed Major-General Franciszek Gagor who relinquishes his post on 16 January 2004.