Secretary-General Kofi Annan considers
that a Special Representative is not required in Iraq at this time "in
the light of the Security Council's new plan for [arms] inspection and
monitoring," his spokesman said today.
The spokesman was responding to reporters'
questions about the content of a meeting Mr. Annan had with Prakash Shah,
his last Special Representative in Baghdad.
The Secretary-General had decided in August that it was not necessary for his Special Representative to remain in Baghdad, the spokesman added. "Consequently, Mr. Shah was based in India and travelled to Iraq from time to time in the capacity of Special Representative."
The Secretary-General was grateful for Mr. Shah's contribution over the past two years as Special Representative, the spokesman said.