News Brief

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Horst Köhler, made the following statement on the death of Sir Alan Whittome, who died on January 21, 2001, at his home in Accomac, Virginia, U.S.A.:

"Sir Alan Whittome held a very special place in the Fund, which he served with great distinction between 1964 and 1990 as one of the longest serving Department Heads and Counsellors.

"Alan Whittome joined the IMF in 1964 as Director of the European Department. He played a key part in negotiating stand-by arrangements and stabilization programs with several major European countries, and, in the 1980s, led the Fund's efforts to develop contacts with the eastern European countries. He was also actively involved in defining and extending the Fund's responsibilities for surveillance over the economies of its member countries.

"In 1980, while retaining his position as Director of the Fund's European Department, Sir Alan was promoted to the rank of Counsellor. In 1987, he was reassigned as Director of the Exchange and Trade Relations Department, and moved to the forefront of the Fund's efforts to deal with the problems of heavily-indebted countries. He retired from the staff in July 1990, but in August 1990 accepted a one-year appointment as Special Counsellor to the Managing Director, with responsibility for spearheading the coordination among four international organizations of a study of the Soviet Union's economy which had been commissioned by the leaders of the G-7 at the Houston Summit. Subsequently, in February 1995, Sir Alan was appointed for two months as a Special Advisor to the Managing Director to undertake a study of the Mexican financial crisis.

"Sir Alan brought an extraordinary mind and a unique style to the Fund. His mark on the Fund was enormous and he has been missed since the day he left. He was a mentor to many Fund staff, including some of those holding senior positions today. All those whose careers and lives he touched will miss him dearly."

Alan Whittome was born on January 18, 1926 in London, England. From 1944 to 1948 he served in the British Army, attaining the rank of Captain. He graduated from Cambridge University in 1950, with a degree in History. He worked at the Bank of England between 1950 and 1964. Sir Alan was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1991.