Tasavallan presidentti Tarja Halosen surunvalittelu YK:n pääsihteerille Kofi Annaninille Bagdadissa tapahtuneen pommi-iskun johdosta

Helsinki, 20 August 2003



Dear Secretary-General,

I want to reiterate again the deep shock and sadness I felt when we heard, during your and Nane’s trip to Finland, the news of the fatal attack against the United Nations building in Iraq. So many precious human lives were lost and many seriously injured in the incident. I feel great sorrow for the loss of the lives of so many United Nations staff members in this terrible attack.

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Finland I wish to express, once again, my most sincere condolences to you, to the United Nations, and to the families of the victims. My thoughts are with you and the families, friends and other colleagues of those who died in this devastating incident.

The death of Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, whom we all had great respect for, was a tremendous loss for the United Nations. As an international civil servant he was devoted to his work to make this world more stable, peaceful and secure. His work in the fields of crisis management and human rights was tremendously important. The whole international community will miss him.

I want to emphasize that Finland will steadfastly commit itself to supporting the United Nations at this difficult moment.

Sincerely,

Tarja Halonen
President of the Republic of Finland