SG/SM/8012
AFR/352
6 November 2001

SECRETARY-GENERAL NAMES WILLIAM LACY SWING
(UNITED STATES) AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE
FOR WESTERN SAHARA

NEW YORK, 5 (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has decided to appoint Mr. William Lacy Swing (United States of America) as his Special Representative for Western Sahara. Until recently, Mr. Swing served in the diplomatic service of his country, where he has had a distinguished career. He will succeed Mr. William Eagleton as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and will assume his functions as of 1 December 2001.

The Secretary-General expresses his deep appreciation for Mr. Eagleton’s contribution to the efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement in Western Sahara and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

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