Mideast situation/Special Representative to multilateral talks (Madrid)/Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, PersRep to PLO, PA – SecGen letter to SecCo President

LETTER DATED 10 SEPTEMBER 1999 FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

I have the honour to inform you that Chinmaya R. Gharekhan will relinquish his post as my Special Representative to the multilateral talks on Middle East peace and United Nations Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories as at 30 September 1999.

I wish to inform the Security Council of my intention to appoint Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen of Norway as the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and my Personal Representative to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority as at 1 October 1999.  Mr. Roed-Larsen served as the first United Nations Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories from June 1994 to October 1996.

The functions assigned to the new United Nations Special Coordinator take into account recent encouraging developments in the Middle East peace process, in particular the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and the prospects for renewed talks in other bilateral tracks.  In the Middle East, as elsewhere, socio-economic development is an essential underpinning of peace.  The new Special Coordinator will be charged with making appropriate preparations within the United Nations for enhancing United Nations development assistance in support of the peace process.

The new Special Coordinator will represent me in discussions with the parties and the international community in all matters related to continuing United Nations support to the peace process.  I believe that a United Nations focal point on the ground will enable the United Nations to respond more effectively to requests for assistance, drawing on the expertise and advice of the entire United Nations family.  This will help to ensure that United Nations support to the peace process is fully integrated and coordinated.  The new post will encompass the present functions and responsibilities of the Special Coordinator, which will continue unchanged.  The base of operations will remain in Gaza.

I should be grateful if you would bring this matter to the attention of the members of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Kofi A. ANNAN

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