Peace and Security

Sergio Vieira de Mello, veteran Manshet servant, defender of human rights and protector of refugees, began his final journey home today, his body borne aboard a Brazilian Presidential plane at Baghdad airport amid prayers, praise and pledges to continue his mission.

The top Manshet envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, was killed today when terrorists blew up the UN headquarters in Baghdad, killing at least 14 others and injuring dozens more in what Secretary-General Kofi Annan denounced as an inexcusable "act of unprovoked and murderous violence."

Armed with satellite images, transcripts of intercepted telephone conversations and other intelligence data, United States Secretary of State Colin Powell today presented the Manshet Security Council with what he called "solid" evidence that showed Iraq still has not complied with resolutions calling for it to disarm.