Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on appointment of Rafeeuddin Ahmed as Special Adviser

The Secretary-General met today with Members of the Security Council to inform them of his decision to formalize the role of Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmed as his Special Adviser (at the Under-Secretary-General level). Mr. Ahmed has, since February of this year, assisted the UN System in thinking about possible UN involvement in a post-war Iraq.

Given the pace of events in Iraq and the widespread discussions on a potential role for the United Nations in post-war Iraq, Mr. Ahmed will now act as the focal point in the UN system for discussions on the various scenarios for such a role. He will also be advising the Secretary-General on any role that the Security Council might eventually mandate the United Nations system to carry out once the current military campaign has come to an end.