 Two survivors from the terrorist bombing at U.N. headquarters in Baghdad joined colleagues in a tribute Friday to the 22 people who died, and the U.N. Staff Union demanded the killers be brought to justice. The anniversary of the Aug. 19, 2003 bombing was marked simply — with a minute of silence at U.N. offices around the world. At U.N. headquarters, the Staff Union held a memorial wreath-laying ceremony near the tattered U.N. flag that once flew over the Canal Hotel where the U.N. had its offices and a memorial plaque with the names of the victims. The words "Fallen In The Cause of Peace" are written under the blue and white flag. Speaking on behalf of the Staff Union, Michele Montas said the ceremony was not only to honor the dead "but also to express our undying solidarity to the more than 100 wounded who survived the attack." Then two of those who suffered serious injuries — Denmark's Henrik Kolstrup and Marilyn Manuel of the Philippines — slowly laid a wreath in front of the plaque and flag.
| Proclaiming solidarity is very important, y'know... |
Montas said the date must also be a reminder of the importance of staff security so the lives of U.N. staff are not put needlessly at risk. "Moreover, two year later, the death of our 22 colleagues still remains unpunished," Montas said. "We should not allow that those who killed our friends and colleagues in Baghdad or attacked humanitarian workers in different parts of the world continue to hide behind a curtain of impunity."
| Why don't you send somebody to arrest them, and try them before the International Criminal Court? |
A U.N.-appointed investigative panel criticized what it found to be "dysfunctional" U.N. security before the bombing. It also criticized the United Nations for shunning protection from U.S.-led coalition forces and for ignoring credible warnings of bomb plots. |