UN to remember victims of deadly Baghdad bombing

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — The United Nations will commemorate Tuesday the fifth anniversary of the bombing of its office in Baghdad that killed 22 staffers, including top envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon is to interrupt a two-week vacation to attend the ceremony, which will pay tribute to the victims with a reading of their names and observance of a minute of silence.

A wreath-laying will also be held at the memorial plaque in the lobby of the General Assembly building.

And there will be a performance of a 15-minute classical music piece by US composer Steve Heitzeg, called "Song without Borders," in memory of UN staff members who have perished in the line of duty.

Since 1948, when the world body established its first peacekeeping...