Biographical Note Inocencio F. Arias, the new Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations, today presented his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Arias served three stints at Spain's Foreign Ministry as Director of the Diplomatic Information Office and as a spokesman (1980-1982, 1985-1988, 1996-1997). Also at the Ministry, he served as State Secretary for International Cooperation and for Iberoamerican Affairs (1991-1993) and as Under-Secretary (1988-1991). He entered the diplomatic service in 1967.
In addition to participating in seven sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Arias has taken part in meetings of the European Councils, as well as of a 1997 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit and a 1992 summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. He was at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), has participated in four Iberoamerican summits, and attended a 1991 Middle East summit in Madrid.
Mr. Arias holds a law degree and has taught international relations at the Universidad Complutense and the Universidad Carlos III, both in Madrid. He has published a number of papers and articles on political issues and international relations. Among his activities in the private sector, he was General Director of the "Real Madrid" Soccer Club (1993 and 1995).
Born in Albox on 20 April 1940, Mr. Arias is married and has three children.
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* Revised to reflect new information.
