Annan Mourns Loss of UN Envoy for Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, August 20, 2003

Annan Mourns Loss of UN Envoy for Iraq

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United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday described the killing of his special representative for Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello as a crime "not only against the United Nations but against Iraq itself."

Vieira de Mello, a respected veteran UN diplomat, was among the17 killed in a massive truck bombing attack on Baghdad's Canal Hotel on Tuesday, which also injured more than 100 others, many seriously.

"Those who killed him have committed a crime, not only against the United Nations but against Iraq itself," Annan said in a statement read by his spokesman Fred Eckhard.

Annan described the loss of Vieira de Mello as "a bitter blow" for the United Nations, and for himself.

"In Iraq, where he spent the last months of his life, he was working day and night to help the Iraqi people regain control of their own destiny and build a future of peace, justice and full independence," he said.

"It is tragic that he has now given his life in that cause, along with others who, like him, were devoted and much-loved servants of the United Nations."

"Let us also strive to be worthy of him, and to complete the work that he began, so that his death will not have been in vain."

Vieiro de Mello was first said to be trapped under the rubble of the collapsed hotel, which housed the UN office with some 300 people. But later he was confirmed dead.

At the United Nations headquarters in New York, all the flags of UN 191 member states flapping on the entrance of the UN compound were removed from their poles. The blue and white UN flagwas lowered to half mast.

"It's a personal loss for all of us, but it's also a political loss," Eckhard said of the death of Vieira de Mello.

A mood of sorrow was clearly felt at the office of the UN spokesman's office. At the corridors, many UN staffers gathered around the television sets to mourn the loss of this outstanding Brazilian.

Vieiro de Mello, 55, was appointed by Annan as his special envoy for Iraq in late May to help build peace in the war-batteredcountry. He was also the world body's high commissioner for human rights.

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