Veneman Accepts Lead UNICEF Position

During a recent press conference Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman said she hadn't made any plans for what she'd be doing after her she was done at USDA. But days before her successor is to be approved by the Senate, Veneman accepted the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's offer to be the executive director of the United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Annan submitted her name to the UNICEF board this week. No problems are expected in getting her approved. Veneman was Annan's first choice to head the world's largest children's agency, with more than 7,000 staff in 150 countries

Veneman will take some time off before heading into the new position and will begin officially May 1, 2005.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman is planning to take over as executive director of the United Nation's Children's Fund May 1st.

She plans on staying on board until her designated successor, Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns, is confirmed by the full Senate. That confirmation is expected no earlier than Jan. 20, 2005.