NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF COSTA RICA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS
Press Release
BIO/3161/Rev.2*
NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF COSTA RICA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS
19980521 Biographical NoteBernd H. Niehaus, the new Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations, today presented his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Niehaus served as his country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship (1990-1994) and was Secretary-General for International Relations of the Social Christian Unity Party (1988-1990). At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, he has also held the positions of Minister (1980-1982) and Vice Minister (1978-1980).
Mr. Niehaus has also been a professor of private and public international law at the University of Costa Rica since 1974, and was also a professor at the National University (1975-1976). He has also been a professional lawyer since 1974. He began his career as cultural attaché at his country's embassy in Bonn (1963-1966).
Mr. Niehaus studied economics and political science at the Universities of Bonn, Hamburg and Cologne, receiving his undergraduate degree in 1966. He received his law degree from the University of Costa Rica in 1972. He also attended the University of Strasbourg, where he earned a doctorate in international law and a diploma in international and human rights law.
Born on 14 April 1941 in San José, Costa Rica, Mr. Niehaus is married and has two children.
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* Revised to correct form of the Ambassador's name.