15 November 2006, DILI—Eric Tan Huck Gim has been appointed as Deputy Special- Representative for the Secretary General (DSRSG) for Security Sector and Rule of Law for United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). Mr. Tan is a retired Brigadier General from the Singapore Armed Forces.

As a member of the senior management team of UNMIT, Mr. Tan is responsible for the security sector support, human rights and transitional justice, the administration of justice support, the UN police and the UN military component. Mr. Tan will act as chief of mission in the absence of the Special Representative.

Mr. Finn Reske-Nielsen, currently Acting SRSG, welcomed the appointment of Mr. Tan. "As we are advancing upon the work of the mission's mandate I welcome the arrival of Mr. Tan to UNMIT and I'm pleased to have someone of his calibre on board," he said. "Mr. Tan will be overseeing the security sector support of the Mission which will provide advice on overall governance of the security sector including both police and defence reform. It's a demanding job but I am confident that Mr. Tan, with his leadership qualities and his excellent professional qualifications, will do a splendid job."

Before joining UNMIT, Mr. Tan held the position of Director of Administration at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. Mr. Tan served in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) for 32 years before his retirement in October 2005. His last assignment in the military was as Commandant of SAF's Tri-Service Officer Training and Education Institute. This appointment began in November 2003. Prior to that, from 2002 until 2003, Mr. Tan served as Force Commander of the military component in the United Nations In Support of East Timor (UNMISET) leading a multinational force of over 3,000.

As an Artillery Officer, Mr. Tan has held several other command posts including Commander 9th Singapore Division from 2000 to 2002 and Chief Artillery Officer from 1997 to 2000.

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Donna Cusumano, Spokesperson at +670 723 0749