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...