Eight candidates named to become UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Eight nominees have been short-listed to become the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), replacing former Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers who resigned a month ago as chief of the refugee agency amid a media furore over allegations against him of sexual harassment, which he denied.

Eight nominees have been short-listed to become the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), replacing Ruud Lubbers, who resigned a month ago as chief of the refugee agency amid a media furore over allegations against him of sexual harassment, which he denied.

At the beginning of the latest search, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he wanted someone with a thorough knowledge of refugee issues and of unimpeachable personal and professional integrity. The person would also have to have proven skills in managing a complex organization, be able to mobilize resources and be an unflinching champion of the refugee cause.

Today Mr. Annan's spokesman, Fred Eckhard, issued a list of people chosen to be interviewed by a panel of senior management officials in the next few weeks. The panel will refer the finalists to Mr. Annan and his Deputy, Louise Fréchette, for final interviews. Mr. Annan will then forward the name of his nominee to the UN General Assembly.

The eight include Emma Bonino of Italy, Member of the European Parliament, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Budget, Sub-Committee on Human Rights; Hans Dahlgren of Sweden, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Gareth Evans of Australia, President and Chief Executive of the Brussels-based International Crisis Group; and former Prime Minister António Guterres of Portugal.

Also listed are Søren Jessen-Petersen of Denmark, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Kosovo and head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission there (UNMIK); Bernard Kouchner of France, Former Minister of Health and Mr. Annan's former Special Representative for Kosovo; Kamel Morjane of Tunisia, currently the Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees; and Mark Verwilghen of Belgium, Minister of Economy, Energy, Foreign Trade and Scientific Politics.