New UN Chief Releases His First Appointments

South Korean Ban Ki-moon, who becomes U.N. secretary-general on Monday, announced his first two appointments after weeks of speculation and mystery about his intentions.

Vijay Nambiar of India, a special adviser to Ban's predecessor, Kofi Annan, will be his chief of staff and Michele Montas, an award-winning Haitian broadcaster, will head the spokesman's division, replacing Stephane Dujarric of France, a U.N. statement said on Sunday.

U.N. sources said Alicia Barcena of Mexico was expected to be named undersecretary-general for administration and management, a post previously held by the United States, which now wants political affairs or peacekeeping.[/q]