SG/SM/9083
16 December 2003

SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEATH OF EMINENT
JURIST, SCHOLAR OSCAR SCHACHTER, “PIONEER” IN
DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

NEW YORK, 15 December (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the death of Oscar Schachter, one of the first officials to join the United Nations and a pioneer in the development of international law.  Professor Schachter joined the United Nations in 1946 and held a succession of key legal posts for two decades, before serving as Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research from 1966 until 1975.  Professor Schachter did more than any other official in the United Nations to help shape the rule of law, and was the architect of the legal framework which has guided United Nations peacekeeping for more than 50 years.  The Secretary-General gives thanks for the life of this eminent jurist, scholar and international civil servant, whose contributions will continue to benefit the Organization for many years to come.

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