ANN HERCUS, SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CYPRUS, SUBMITS RESIGNATION

Press Release
SG/SM/7079

ANN HERCUS, SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CYPRUS, SUBMITS RESIGNATION

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:

Ann Hercus, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Cyprus and Chief of Mission of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), has submitted her resignation to the Secretary-General for family reasons.

The Secretary-General respects the reasons that have compelled Ms. Hercus to take this step and he has accepted this resignation with deep regret. The Secretary-General wishes to place on record his appreciation for Ann Hercus' skilful and untiring efforts over the past 12 months in the conduct of his mission of good offices and of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. He considers that Ms. Hercus has served with distinction in a difficult assignment.

Ms. Hercus is currently with her family in New Zealand. In order to allow the work of the United Nations in Cyprus to continue without a significant break, the Secretary-General and Ms. Hercus have agreed that she will remain in her post until the end of September.

Ms. Hercus took up her post as Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary-General on 1 July 1998 and was recently appointed Special Representative.

* *** *