Tanzanian woman becomes UN Deputy Secretary-General

United Nations, Jan 6 (UNI) New UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has named a Tanzanian woman as his deputy and described her as a ''champion'' of the Third World.

Tanzanian Foreign Minister Asha-Rose Migiro yesterday became the third person -- and second woman -- in history to be appointed the UN Deputy Secretary-General, when she accepted the post offered to her.

''Through her distinguished service in diverse areas, she has displayed outstanding management skills with wide experience and expertise in socio-economic affairs and development issues,'' Mr Ban said.

The Secretary-General, who took office on January 1 with revitalisation of the United Nations as a top priority, stated that he intends to ''delegate much of the management and administrative work'' to Ms Migiro ''under a clear line of authority to ensure that the Secretariat will function in a more effective and efficient manner.'' She has worked in the past with Mr Ban when they both served as Foreign Ministers of their respective countries. He called her ''a highly respected leader who has championed the cause of developing nations over the years.'' Salim Ahmed Salim, the African Union Special Envoy on the Darfur conflict, who is in New York for meetings with the Secretary-General, welcomed the appointment of Ms Migiro, a fellow Tanzanian.

Hailing her ''skills and commitment,'' Mr Salim asserted, ''I know she can do the job and I wish her well.'' Ms Migiro, who in her new capacity will be the highest ranking woman at the United Nations and the second-highest among all officials, also served as Minister of Community Development, Gender and Children's Affairs, until she was asked to head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation a year ago.

She entered the Tanzanian government service after leaving her position as Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the University of Dar-es-Salaam. Ms Migiro, 50, replaces Mark Malloch Brown who took office in April.

Mr Ban, who succeeded Kofi Annan, had repeatedly said he would appoint a woman from the Third World as his Number two.

''He underlined the fact that she was not named because she's an African and because she's a woman, but essentially because of her qualifications,'' UN spokeswoman Michele Montas told reporters.

Mr Annan also had a woman as his deputy. She was Louise Frechette of Canada. After she left the office, the former secretary-general appointed Mark Malloch Brown of Britain in April.

In a statement, the Group of 77 developing nations and China welcomed the Tanzanian appointment.

''The Group of 77 and China is pleased that Secretary-General has appointed a person from a developing country for such an important position,'' said Dumisani S Kumalo, Chairman of the grouping.

''Having served in various important capacities, Ms Migiro will bring a wealth of managerial and practical experience accumulated from addressing issues of development, peace and security,'' the Chairman said.

UNI