Annan Appoints Dutch Diplomat Envoy to West Sahara

Annan Appoints Veteran Dutch Diplomat Personal Envoy For Western Sahara

New York, Aug 1 2005 2:00PM

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has appointed Peter van Walsum, the former Dutch Permanent Representative to the United Nations, as his Personal Envoy assisting the parties in the Western Sahara settle the disputed territory's status.

Mr. van Walsum, a career diplomat who held a number of posts during his 35-year-plus association with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, succeeds James A. Baker III, who resigned in June.

Mr. van Walsum also served from 1965 through 1981 in the Permanent Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Paris, and the Permanent Mission to the European Commission in Brussels.

Prior to joining the Dutch Foreign Ministry, Mr. van Walsum worked for Civil Emergency Planning in the Ministry of General Affairs from 1962 to 1963 and was in military service from 1960 to 1962.

ENDS

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