SPECIAL ADVISER EGELAND APPOINTED SECRETARY-GENERAL OF NORWEGIAN RED CROSS

Following is the text of a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

It has been announced in Oslo that Jan Egeland, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Colombia, will become the next Secretary-General of the Norwegian Red Cross from January 2002.� The Secretary-General would like to congratulate Mr. Egeland warmly on this appointment.� Mr. Egeland has made a decisive contribution to the United Nations’ support for Colombia’s efforts to� end violence and bring peace to the country.� He has worked tirelessly to promote peace, human rights, humanitarian assistance and development in the country.

Mr. Egeland will continue in his functions as Special Adviser until January.� Arrangements for his succession will be announced separately.

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