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OAS SECRETARY GENERAL DEPLORES ATTACK AGAINST UNITED NATIONS IN IRAQ

  August 20, 2003

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), César Gaviria, today deplored the attack on the United Nations compound in Iraq and issued the following statement:


"Both personally and on behalf of the member countries of the Organization of American States, I would like to express our profound sorrow and indignation over the cowardly attack against the United Nations in Baghdad. Those who gave their lives were working in the service of humanity, and their loss touches not only their families and their countries, but indeed the world. We especially feel the loss of the great Brazilian diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello, a true international civil servant who tirelessly defended human rights and dignity. We would also like to express our condolences to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and offer him our continued support of his efforts to strengthen peace and security around the world.

"Once again we have been reminded of the horrors of terrorism, which has taken such a terrible and unprecedented toll in the last two years – from Israel to Indonesia, from Baghdad to Bogotá. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the OAS member states have increased their cooperation against terrorism and have renewed their commitment to defeat this scourge. Every attack, whether it is against United Nations relief workers or civilians on a Jerusalem bus, represents an attack against all who love peace and freedom."

Reference: E-160/03