US marks anniversary of UN HQ bombing in Iraq

US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday paid tribute and mourned the lives lost on August 19th, 2003, when the UN headquarters in Iraq was bombed andUN envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello was killed.

"Today marks the one-year anniversary of the tragic bombing of the UN headquarters in Iraq. On behalf of the United States, I paytribute and mourn the lives lost on August 19th of 2003," Powell said in a statement.

Powell said the "vicious" attack could not break the will of "the United Nations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan and all of us whoare committed to helping the people of Iraq build a better future."

Powell noted the UN chief's special representative Jehangir Qazi is now in Iraq and supporting the interim Iraqi government.

"The international community will not be deterred by the immoral act of a year ago. The United States remains steadfast in its support for the United Nations mission in Iraq. We will continue to work side by side as partners to help build a free andpeaceful Iraq," Powell said.

A total of 22 people were killed in the bombing attack one yearago in Iraq.

Source: Xinhua