UNIS/BIO/675
16 May 2003

New Permanent Representative of Argentina Presents Credentials

VIENNA, 16 May (UN Information Service) -- The new Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations (Vienna), Elsa Diana Rosa Kelly, presented her credentials today to Antonio Mario Costa, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).

Prior to her current assignment, she was her country's Ambassador to Italy and Permanent Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), concurrently (2000-2003).

Ms. Kelly joined the Foreign Ministry in 1962. From 1973 to 1976, she was Counsellor in her country's embassy in Chile. From 1980 to 1981, she was Legal Counsellor in the Foreign Ministry. In 1983, she was designated Vice-Chancellor of the Foreign Ministry for President Raúl Alfonsín. From 1985 to 1989, she was Argentina's Ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In 1991, she became member of the Higher Council of Ambassadors.

From 1998 to 1999, Ms. Kelly was Director General for Environmental Affairs; and from 1999 to 2000, she served as Special Representative for International Environmental Affairs in the Foreign Ministry of Argentina.

Outside the Foreign Ministry, she served as a Member of the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights of the Organization of American States (1985-1989), President of the Latin American Group of UNESCO (1986-1987) and was Member of Parliament from 1992 to 1995.

Ms. Kelly had published several articles and essays on legal, political and international topics in different publications.

Born on 28 February 1939, Ms. Kelly received a doctorate in law from the University of Buenos Aires. She also received a scholarship for Harvard University to participate in the programme of the Center for International Affairs.

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