STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNOG AT CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CANAL HOTEL IN BAGHDAD

Following is the statement delivered by Sergei Ordzhonikidze, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, at a wreath-laying ceremony held today in the Salle des Pas Perdus of the Palais des Nations to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad on 19 August 2003. A minute of silence was observed.

"Today, we are gathered here to remember.

On the afternoon of 19 August 2003, we lost 22 of our friends and colleagues, in what was a brutal and direct attack against the Blue Flag. This was the first time that we, the United Nations, were targeted on such a massive scale. We never had a tragedy like this before. The bomb that detonated at Canal Hotel, our Headquarters in Baghdad, robbed us of 22 men and women who had devoted their lives to the United Nations. These staff members assumed great risk in the service of peace, security and of all humanity and paid the ultimate price, their lives.

The cause for which our friends and colleagues died stays on, and our quest continues, as we go on with our work.

The United Nations helped organize historic elections and draft a new constitution in 2005. As violence spiralled in the period that followed, our humanitarian agencies stepped up their aid to Iraqi refugees and others in need. We are also working hard today to encourage political compromise among the various communities in Iraq.

But 19 August will remain one of the United Nations' darkest days; a day of sorrow, a day where our thoughts go to the survivors and families of those who died. These 22 friends and colleagues honoured us by the manner in which they carried out their duty. We will never forget them. Today, we honour their memory by going on with their work".



For use of the information media; not an official record

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