He was ambassador in Damascus from 1973 to 1976 and in Brasilia from 1976 to 1979.[2] He then served as Director General for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1979 to 1984[3] and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 1984.[4] In that capacity, he was also Chairman of the UNICEF Executive Board from 1986 to 1987.[5]