Speaking at a solemn ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in New York, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the attack robbed the UN of "some of its best and bravest staff members."
 |
|
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (3rd R) attends the wreath-laying ceremony in observance of the fifth anniversary of the bombing of the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad, at the UN Headquarters, in New York, the United States, August 19, 2008. The truck bomb attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad killed over 20 people, including the top UN envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and wounded more than 150.(Xinhua Photo/Hou Jun) |
"We grieve at their tragic deaths, yet we take heart from their courage. Their legacy endures," Ban told a gathering of UN staff, family members of the victims as well as survivors of the attack.
"They were true heroes," he added, noting that they went into a dangerous situation to help those in need.
He said that over the past five years, the United Nations has continued to help the people of Iraq -- and others throughout the world -- who suffer from violence, disease and want.
"This work is often dangerous, but it must go on. Those who died on Aug. 19, 2003 would have it no other way," he said.
The secretary-general said the UN has been trying hard to ensure the security and protection of its staff.
"Protecting ourselves requires more than barricades and shatterproof glass. We must continue to explain, clearly and consistently, what we do and who we are. We must tell the world in a strategic manner why the UN matters, and that we play an impartial and objective role wherever we operate," he said.
Ban, joined by colleagues who were in Baghdad, laid a wreath in memory of the victims. A minute of silence was also observed in honor of the fallen staff.
The ceremony featured the world premiere of Song without Borders, a new classical music piece composed by Emmy Award-winner Steve Heitzeg in memory of UN staff members who have perished in the line of duty.
Among the 22 people killed in the Baghdad bombing was Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN's top envoy in Iraq.
 |
|
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (3rd R) attends the wreath-laying ceremony in observance of the fifth anniversary of the bombing of the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad, at the UN Headquarters, in New York, the United States, August 19, 2008. The truck bomb attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad killed over 20 people, including the top UN envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and wounded more than 150. (Xinhua Photo/Hou Jun) |
