UN General Assembly
2003

the global agenda forward, despite the enormous challenges and high risks facing the Organization and its personnel. The terrorist attack against the United Nations office in Baghdad last month, which claimed the lives of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and of a number of his colleagues, is yet further clear testimony of those challenging difficulties and immense dangers. Another similar terrorist attack occurred two days ago, and again the target was the United Nations presence in Iraq. From this rostrum, I reiterate our condemnation of that terrorist act and of all other similar acts that 30 have occurred in the cities of Baghdad and Najaf. Those attacks claimed the lives of highly respected religious leaders and symbols and other innocent victims. We believe that such acts are aimed not only at the underpinnings of security, of stability and of the people’s sense of confidence, but also at the noble values that we all seek to restore and consolidate in brotherly Iraq. Perhaps the most appropriate and resolute