UNITED
NATIONS 
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
STATEMENT
BY
THE PRESIDENT OF THE FIFTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE UNITED
NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, H E MR JULIAN R HUNTE
ON THE OBSERVANCE OF THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY
OF THE BAGHDAD TRAGEDY
Johannesburg, South Africa
19 AUGUST 2004
The
year since the August 19, 2003 tragedy in Baghdad, which
claimed the lives of Sergio Vieira de Mello and many
members of our United Nations family and injured others,
has been one of reflection for the organisation and
indeed for the world.
We
remember with great sadness those dedicated and committed
men and women who did not shy away from danger, but
with courage and conviction stood on the frontline and
ensured that the United Nations could live up to the
ideals of its Charter.
Today
we join hands and hearts with their families, friends
and colleagues in remembering those who lost their lives
and those who were injured in Baghdad and all who have
fallen in the service of the United Nations.
It
is deplorable that these dedicated and selfless United
Nations staff in the service of humanity were targeted
while working for peace. I commend the men and women
of the United Nations who tirelessly continue the critical
work of the organisation in this unstable and often
perilous world.
I
urge that we give full effect to the goals and objectives
of the Charter so that the United Nations may continue
to stand above the confusion that surrounds us and that
its staff will no longer be in constant danger but may
faithfully serve the people of the world.
