UN Staff Marks Baghdad Bomb Anniversary with Security Demand


United Nations employees marked the anniversary of the Baghdad bombing with a demand for better security. The fear of further attacks hangs heavy as the world body anticipates a greater role in Iraq, and other world hot spots.

Teardrops streamed down the faces of U.N. staffers as they walked silently around the circular driveway outside the New York headquarters building. Many wore black ribbons to honor their fallen comrades.

Jacob George of India carried a sign saying "Never let it happen again". He said the days when the world body can consider its blue flag a shield of safety are over.

"In the past, it was considered neutral, but today we cannot be completely neutral, we have to be neutral, but there are people who consider us as not neutral. So we have to have better security in the field," he said.

Leaders of the U.N. employee staff union organized the march. The union has been sharply critical of the world body's top administrators for failing to address what an independent panel last year called a "dysfunctional security management system".

Most participants in the silent march expressed broad agreement with that conclusion. Many expressed the feeling that, one year after the Baghdad attack, the world body and its employees are no less vulnerable to terrorists.

http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?o...A5F63F76AC90AA

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Ahh! maybe some UN troops might help? i mean they've only been invited in...how many times? better yet ask the french or germans, that's always good for a laugh. just stfu in new york. (any co-incidence between this and the rep. national convention...nah!) we've got our own to worry about first. kofi with his words of wisdoms offered..."i still think the war could have been avoided". a reassurance to everyone.