U.N. appoints former Finnish PM as head of Kosovo mission
Deutsche Presse-Agentur - July 28, 2003, Monday  

Helsinki - Former Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri was appointed on Monday to head the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the national news agency STT reported.

Holkeri, who will replace Germany's Michael Steiner as UNMIK chief, made the announcement himself at a press briefing in Helsinki.

Steiner resigned on 8 July.

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan had nominated Holkeri for the job on Friday, and the Security Council gave its approval on Monday.

Holkeri said his most important task is confidence building between the opposing factions in Kosovo.

The 66-year-old Holkeri was prime minister in 1987-1991.

He was awarded the title of Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth for his efforts as a peace mediator in Northern Ireland.

18:51 Central European Time - 28 July 2003 - dpa fp ms

SECTION: Politics

LENGTH: 140 words

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