*EPF204 08/19/2003
Text: U.N. Security Council Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attack in Baghdad
(Bombing will not deter from goals for peace, statement says) (370)

In response to the August 19 bombing of the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, Deputy U.N. Ambassador Fayssal Mekdad of Syria, the Security Council president for August, read a statement on behalf of the UNSC strongly condemning the terrorist attack and confirming the U.N.'s mission to bring peace and security to Iraq.

"Such terrorist incidents cannot break the will of the international community to further intensify its efforts to help the people of Iraq," Mekdad said.

Mekdad said that members of the Council have said that the attack "will not affect their determination" and that they "will stay united against such attacks ... to help the Iraqi people restore peace and stability in their country."

Following is the text of the Security Council statement:

(begin text)

Statement by the President of the Security Council -- 19 August 2003

Members of the council were shocked to hear of the terrorist criminal attack against the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad.

Members of the Security Council have heard a briefing by Assistant secretary-general for political affairs on the bombing today of the UN compound in Baghdad, resulting in deaths and injuries. They condemn in the strongest terms this terrorist attack. Such terrorist incidents cannot break the will of the international community to further intensify its efforts to help the people of Iraq.

Members if the Council reaffirmed that this horrible attack that aimed at undermining the vital role of the United Nations in Iraq will not affect their determination and members of the Council will stay united against such attacks and to help the Iraqi people restore peace and stability in their country.

Members of the Council expressed their sincere condolences to the bereaved families, and wished all injured a quick recovery.

The UN mission in Iraq has been established by the Security Council to help the Iraqi people to achieve their objectives. The United Nations is in Iraq on a mission of peace, and for the reconstruction of the country and to support the Iraqi people. Therefore, it is all the more shocking that this attack occurred.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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