Annan adviser heading to Venezuela ahead of referendum

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Adviser on Latin America Issues is heading today to Venezuela to follow first-hand the latest developments regarding that country’s recall referendum on President Hugo Chavez, a UN spokesman announced.

During his five-day mission, Diego Cordovez is expected to meet with representatives from the Government, opposition, media, civil society and international players such as the Organization of American States (OAS), the Carter Center and the Group of Friends.

"The Secretary-General has been closely monitoring developments in Venezuela, and met with Mr. Cordovez yesterday to discuss the details of the mission," spokesman Fred Eckhard said at the daily briefing in New York.

The UN will not be sending observers for the balloting scheduled for 15 August, he said.

Mr. Cordovez was a UN staff member for 25 years. From 1981 to 1988 he served as the Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, and from 1988 to 1992 he was the Foreign Minister of Ecuador.