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UN envoys for Afghanistan arrive in New York for consultations

UN envoys for Afghanistan arrive in New York for consultations

Two United Nations envoys who are dealing with various aspects of the situation in Afghanistan have arrived in New York for high-level meetings at UN Headquarters, a spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today.

"The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, has arrived at UN headquarters and has begun consultations," spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters. "He will meet with the Secretary-General this afternoon."

"The Secretary-General's Personal Representative for Afghanistan, Francesc Vendrell, is also here for meetings," the spokesman added.

Mr. Brahimi, who previously served as a UN envoy in the country during the late 1990s, was reappointed to the post earlier this month to take charge of the UN's overall humanitarian and political work in the country. Among other tasks, Mr. Brahimi will manage peacemaking activities involving the warring parties and others concerned, with a view to facilitating a fully representative, multiethnic and broad-based government.

Mr. Vendrell was appointed Personal Representative and Head of the UN Special Mission to Afghanistan in January 2000. Since that time, he has maintained frequent contact with the warring sides, non-belligerent groups outside of Afghanistan and other interested parties.