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 News from Around the Americas | January 2005 
Annan Picks New Chief of Staff at U.N.
 Reuters
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has chosen the head of the U.N. Development Program as his new chief of staff, who will be looked at to help push through reforms as the global body faces corruption allegations and strained relations with Washington.
 United Nations - Mark Malloch Brown, U.N. officials said Monday, would replace Iqbal Riza, 70, who announced his retirement as chief of staff two weeks ago, about the same time as two other top U.N. officials. The United Nations described the moves as coincidental year-end changes.
The openings give Annan an opportunity to put in place U.N. changes he has advocated and tackle the damage caused to the world body over the Iraqi oil-for-food program scandal.
The United Nations also is investigating peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on rape and prostitution allegations. The challenges come as the body is coordinating massive relief efforts to victims of the December 26 tsunami disaster and playing a key role in organizing January elections in Iraq.
Malloch Brown, a 51-year old Briton, whose official title is administrator of the development program, is credited with an overhaul of the agency, which has programs in 166 nations. He took office in 1999 after serving as a World Bank vice president in charge of external affairs and public relations.
The other two officials who have decided to leave are Catherine Bertini, an American undersecretary-general for management, and Jean-Pierre Halbwachs of Mauritius, the U.N. controller.
Bertini spent 10 years as executive director of the Rome, Italy-based U.N. World Food Program before coming to New York in January 2003. She is expected to leave in the spring and said she informed Annan in September she wanted to pursue other career opportunities.
Halbwachs had told his staff he wanted to take early retirement in February when he turns 55, after 32 years in the world body, U.N. spokesmen said. |
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