Dili, 19 August 2008 – UN staff and senior Timorese Government officials joined together today to remember those who died in the bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad five years ago.

Speaking at a ceremony at Obrigado Barracks, the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Timor-Leste, Finn Reske-Nielsen said, "The Baghdad bombing shook us to the core but did not stop us in our ideals, commitment and resolve."

Twenty-two people lost their lives in the bombing that rocked the Canal Hotel on 19 August 2003 in Baghdad. Among those killed was Sergio Vieira de Mello, who served as the Secretary General's Special Representative for Timor-Leste during the UN's Transitional Administration in Timor-Leste.

The President of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta paid tribute to Mr. de Mello, and remembered the 67 UN staff who lost their lives in Timor-Leste since 1999.

"We shall forever remember them," he told the gathering.

Among those participating in the remembrance were President of Parliament Fernando "Lasama" de Araujo, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Founding President, Xavier do Amaral, Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and hundreds of UN staff in Timor-Leste.

Email: hanley@un.org