Veneman Unicef chief, more changes predicted

American agriculture secretary Ann Veneman has been appointed to head the United Nations Children8217;s Fund Unicef replacing Carol Bellamy as part of a major shake-up of secretary-general Kofi Annan8217;s top cabinet.

Veneman8217;s appointment comes on the heels of Annan replacing his close confidante Iqbal Riza of Pakistan with high profile UN development programme administrator Mark Malloch Brown, a Briton, as his chief-of-staff and officials said several more changes are on the cards within a month.

Political affairs chief Kieran Prendergast is also expected to step down and would probably replace Annan8217;s top Middle East representative Terje Roed-Larsen. Also leaving are head of the UN relief and works agency Peter Hansen and under-secretary general for management Catherine Bertini. 8212;Reuters