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Annan names Finnish general top military observer for India-Pakistan mission

Annan names Finnish general top military observer for India-Pakistan mission

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today announced the appointment of a Finnish general to the top post at the United Nations Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today announced the appointment of a Finnish general to the top post at the United Nations Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).

Major-General Pertti Juhani Puonti takes over as the mission's Chief Military Observer from Major-General Hermann K. Loidolt of Austria, who has led the Group since July 2001.

Major-General Puonti, who is currently the Chief of Staff of Finland's Northern Command Headquarters, previously served as a military observer in the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). In 1992, he was commanding officer of the Finnish Construction Battalion in the UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR).