Tributes flood in for UN Envoy
Tributes have been flooding in for the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello who was killed in a bomb attack on the UN’s headquarters in Baghdad, yesterday.
The devastating attack was believed to have been carried out by a suicide bomber leaving at least 17 people dead and more than 100 injured. It is believed that the attack was carried out to weaken the international community’s resolve to continue the reconstruction of Iraq following the recent conflict and years of sanctions.
Also among the dead are the Iraq co-ordinator for the UN children’s fund Unicef, a number of World Bank staff, UN staff from around the world including Britain and the US. A number of local Iraqi workers are among the casualties.
The bomb is believed to have been on a cement truck that was parked outside the building.
Mr de Mello, 55, was appointed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights last year and is well respected within the international community. He was the Special
Representative for Kosovo in 1999 and then headed the UN Mission in East Timor.
The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw paid tribute to Mr de Mello’s dedication and commitment to the reconstruction of Iraq.
Mr Straw stated, ‘Sergio Vieira de Mello’s death is an utter tragedy. He was an outstanding international civil servant who had dedicated much of his life to the high ideals of the United Nations, and to putting those into practice at the frontline of conflict.’
The US’ Civilian Administrator, Ambassador Bremer, argued that the bombing was as much an attack on the future of the Iraqi people as on the UN’s operations.
Ambassador Bremer commented, ‘Terrorists are enemies of Iraq as of all civilized countries. I know that the world will join me in condemning the murderers who target Iraqis and those of us who work with them.’
Secretary General for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Jan Kubis expressed his outrage at the attack ‘I am utterly appalled at this senseless and cowardly terrorist attack on people whose sole mission is to improve the lives of the people of Iraq,” he said.
‘Special Representative and High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello is a valued friend and colleague whom I have known for many years. My thoughts are with him and all the victims of this terrible crime.’
Javier Solana, the European Union’s High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy warned that the international community would not be put off by this latest attack.
Mr Solana added, ‘I am deeply shocked by this despicable act which is an attack against people who are working for Iraq’s future and an attack against the international community’s determination to reconstruct Iraq on the basis of Security Council Resolution 1483. The EU strongly supports the UN’s important ongoing role in the reconstruction of Iraq.’
Charles Kennedy Leader of the Liberal Democrats argued that it would be ironic if this attack were to undermine the international community’s efforts to re-establish an independent, sovereign country as soon as possible.
Mr Kennedy said, ‘The occupying power must also now re-double its efforts to provide adequate security for representatives of the UN and the aid agencies who are in Iraq trying to help its troubled people.’
The US Department of Defense confirmed that its army was securing the area and was carrying out an investigation into the blast. The military also confirmed that Iraqi Ministry of Interior has sent police officers to help at the scene, and to investigate.
