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UN pays tribute to staff killed in Baghdad bombing
United Nations, Aug 27: The work at the United Nations headquarters came to a standstill for 30 minutes as more than 2,000 workers held a silent march to pay tribute to their colleagues who perished in the bombing of world body headquarters in Baghdad last week.
United Nations, Aug 27: The work at the United Nations headquarters came to a standstill for 30 minutes as more than 2,000 workers held a silent march to pay tribute
to their colleagues who perished in the bombing of world body headquarters in Baghdad last week.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan, wearing black suit and
tie, and ambassadors of the 15 members of the Security
Council joined the march around water fountain in front of
the headquarters yesterday.
Earlier in the day, more than 3,000 workers of the United Nations and its agencies had held a silent march in Geneva. Similar marches were also held in other UN offices.
Among the marchers at the headquarters was Salim Lone, spokesman for fallen head of the UN mission in Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello, who had broken the news of de Mello's death to the world.
Many carried flowers and were tears as they remembered their friends who were among the 23 dead and scores injured in the terrorist attack.
"We will never forget," read one placard. Another was more philosophical - "When will it end? It must." Still another simply said: "Enough."
After the march, staff union' s security committee issued a statement asking Annan to suspend operations in Iraq and withdraw staff until such time as measures are taken to improve the security.
It also demanded a "full and independent" inquiry into lack of adequate security in Baghdad and wanted to know why so many staff members were sent in insecure conditions.
Bureau Report
Earlier in the day, more than 3,000 workers of the United Nations and its agencies had held a silent march in Geneva. Similar marches were also held in other UN offices.
Among the marchers at the headquarters was Salim Lone, spokesman for fallen head of the UN mission in Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello, who had broken the news of de Mello's death to the world.
Many carried flowers and were tears as they remembered their friends who were among the 23 dead and scores injured in the terrorist attack.
"We will never forget," read one placard. Another was more philosophical - "When will it end? It must." Still another simply said: "Enough."
After the march, staff union' s security committee issued a statement asking Annan to suspend operations in Iraq and withdraw staff until such time as measures are taken to improve the security.
It also demanded a "full and independent" inquiry into lack of adequate security in Baghdad and wanted to know why so many staff members were sent in insecure conditions.
Bureau Report