UN Geneva office pays final tribute to victims of Baghdad terrorist attack29 August – With music, poems, photos, rededication to the principles of the United Nations and a resounding pledge to continue their unfinished mission, over 2,000 people paid a final tribute today to the 22 victims of the terrorist bombing of the UN offices in Baghdad at a memorial service held at the world body's Geneva headquarters.
"All were in the prime of their lives. All were committed to, and worked for, the cause of peace. All were killed in a nihilistic act of violence which we struggle vainly to comprehend," Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette said in an address.
"The people we lost were more than colleagues. They were members of our family," Ms. Fréchette added.
Stressing their legacy, the Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, Sergei Ordzhonikidze, said: "They were in Iraq with a noble purpose, a task to perform, and a goal to reach. Their presence was a testimony to their unwavering commitment and dedication to principles of the United Nations.
"We must honour this commitment by continuing the work they began. Let us show the world that they will never be forgotten, that their work was not in vain, that we are proud of them," Mr. Ordzhonikidze declared.
"Let us show courage and resolve in the face of terrorism, and strength in our bereavement," he concluded. "Let us show the world a more determined, more united 'UN', to honour the memory of our fallen colleagues."
During the ceremony, photos were screened as a personal tribute to each victim. Present were family, friends and colleagues, Mrs. Nane Annan, permanent representatives of Member States, Swiss federal and local officials, and Adnan Pachachi, member of the Iraqi Governing Council.
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