Sergio Vieira de Mello

The UK Guardian ^ | 8/19/03 | Paul MacInnes

[veronica]

On his arrival as the UN's special representative in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello declared that "Freedom, dignity and security must, from now on, be taken for granted by all Iraqis".

Today, less than three months later, he became the latest victim of rising tide of violence in Iraq, killed when an explosion tore apart his headquarters in central Baghdad.

One of the UN's most highly regarded diplomats, Mr De Mello's career with the organisation went back 33 years. As well has holding his position in Iraq, a temporary four month secondment that began in May, he also held the position of High Commissioner for Human Rights, a role he assumed from the former Irish prime minister, Mary Robinson, last year.

Educated in Rio de Janeiro and later at the Sorbonne, Mr De Mello has worked for the UN in Rwanda, Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia and Kosovo. His experience in working with refugees led to him taking charge of the organisation's efforts in East Timor, successfully overseeing the transition from a war-torn province of Indonesia to an independent democratic state in the summer of 2002. Months later he assumed the role of High Commisioner, one of the UN's most sensitive, and important posts.

Mr De Mello's task in Iraq was immediately a complicated one. Following the terms of UN resolution 1483, he was expected to aid the formation of an Iraqi interim administration, seen as the first step to self-government. In practice this meant mediating between the conflicting aims of Iraqi groups and the US-led coalition.

In an interview with the website Electronic Iraq, he explained the UN's role as "to help [Iraqis] convey a clear message to the coalition, their aspiration that the council would assume strong executive prerogative; and number two, that the United Nations would play a central role in the political and in the constitutional transition."

With members of Iraq's new governing council ultimately selected by and answerable to the coalition, the UN's aims were desperately hampered. Today they have been crushed into dust.

[50sDad]

With members of Iraq's new governing council ultimately selected by and answerable to the coalition, the UN's aims were desperately hampered. Today they have been crushed into dust.

I guess we needed to let sanctions run 12 more years before you sent diplomats into a war zone, eh Cohfee?

[joesnuffy]

How many UN tears will be shed for the American kids who have lost their lives in Iraq?

Because of the Freekin UN and their support of Saddam Hussein Bin Laden and our relationship with the Saudis

And the influence of CAIR & its oil money...........on our leaders.................

Its the UNs fault we are there nearly as much as it is the terrorists imo

[veronica]

With members of Iraq's new governing council ultimately selected by and answerable to the coalition, the UN's aims were desperately hampered. Today they have been crushed into dust.

Only the Guardian could manage to find a way to obliquely blame the coalition...

[MEG33]

Just in..a large explosion in Jerusalem.

[Roughneck]

Mr De Mello's task in Iraq was immediately a complicated one. Following the terms of UN resolution 1483, he was expected to aid the formation of an Iraqi interim administration, seen as the first step to self-government. In practice this meant mediating between the conflicting aims of Iraqi groups and the US-led coalition. ******



Was it complicated because US Forces did not want or need the defunct, socialistic, terrorist-pleasing U.N. in iraq? I mean, the UN wanted no part of freeing these people, they just want whatever money they can get from that country.

I hope the UN acts as chicken-sheet as ever and pulls out of iraq for good. Of course, greed will probably keep them there. . .

[niki]

In an interview with the website Electronic Iraq, he explained the UN's role as "to help [Iraqis] convey a clear message to the coalition, their aspiration that the council would assume strong executive prerogative; and number two, that the United Nations would play a central role in the political and in the constitutional transition."

Looks like the Iraqis don't want the help of the mass murdering UN.

[DoughtyOne]

I lament the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello and any others who died or were wounded in this savage act of mindless brutality.

[DoughtyOne]

Folks, this is a eulogy thread. While I join you in disagreeing with the U.N. and what it stands for, this souldn't be the thread to express that on.

There'll be pleanty of other threads to address the evil nature of the U.N. on.

[veronica]

Absolutely. This is another tragedy to be laid at the feet of Islamic terrorists.

[DoughtyOne]

I should have taken your name out of the "To:" box. SAT

[G.Mason]

"Folks, this is a eulogy thread. While I join you in disagreeing with the U.N. and what it stands for, this souldn't be the thread to express that on."

" There'll be pleanty of other threads to address the evil nature of the U.N. on."

Eulogy this!

Hey emporer ..... You're wearing no clothes!

Screw the UN and all that support that parasitic, socialist organization.

[G.Mason]

Yikes......it's emperor....not emporer.

Okay....okay....so I'm not royalty.

[Old Sarge]

This soldier notes, without remorse, the demise of the UN-envoy.

This soldier notes, WITH remorse, the deaths of any souls who were defending or providing security or support for the UN-effort to UN-dermine our operations in Iraq.

[mewzilla]

Only the Guardian could manage to find a way to obliquely blame the coalition...

Well, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard came right out in a news conference today and blamed the Coalition. According to Eckhard the Coalition was in charge of the security at the hotel. He came right out and said that.

[DoughtyOne]

If you folks will click on my name down beneath this post, you'll note that I agree with both your views. When people come to this forum for the first time, they don't understand the basis for your comments. Let them read those commnets on other threads with supportive information attached. It just looks severely tacky to trash a guy whose just been blown to bits, even if we do disagree with his parent organization, and even his own actions. You see, some folks just don't understand the U.N. for what it is.

Of course I have no right to ask you to consider this. I hope you will.

[Old Sarge]

Deal.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks.

[G.Mason]

I saw by your personal page that you were no UN lover.

Though I did not bash the dead, the thought that you said it was a eulogy post kind of set me off.

Hell, I couldn't even spell emperor right.

I was busting your chops.

I understand your point.

Peace.

[yoe]

Looks like the Iraqis don't want the help of the mass murdering UN.

The Coalition doesn't need the political harnesses the UN brings with it...anywhere they go. The Coalition is proving itself and the Iraqi people want them to continue what they are doing. The United Nations, our State Department and others of the politically correct abyss, i.e., discord and confusion of idiots, will do little to help in any area. Get the Bureaucrats out of the picture and let the military do their job. They are doing one hell of a job just being good Americans, Brits, Aussies etc. and the people of Iraq respect them.