Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=08/20/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ BLAST / REACT (L-O)

NUMBER=2-306676

BYLINE=MICHAEL BOWMAN

DATELINE= RIO DE JANEIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: There is shock and consternation in Brazil following Tuesday's bomb blast in Baghdad that killed U-N special envoy to Iraq, Brazilian diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello. V-O-A's Michael Bowman reports from Rio de Janeiro.

TEXT: Brazilian newspaper headlines hailed Sergio Vieira de Mello as a hero who died for peace.

On the streets of Rio de Janeiro, many people's reactions to Mr. Vieira de Mello's death were both sorrowful and indignant. Clothes importer Claudia Schweller:

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Ms. Schweller says, the attack was absurd, adding that that it is hard to believe such things still happen in the 21st century. She says violence leads nowhere.

Attorney Joaquin Brandao says Mr. Vieira de Mello's death was senseless.

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Mr. Brandao says, it is a shame that someone with such stature who was conducting an active mission for peace should fall victim to terrorism. He added that the message sent by the terrorists is that peace is impossible and that no efforts to quell violence will succeed.

But Brazil's foreign minister, Celso Amorim, took a more optimistic view:

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Mr. Amorim says, he hopes the brutal death of Mr. Vieira de Mello will not be in vain. Rather, he says, he hopes it will inspire us to find a way to fight terrorism through rational means according to international law.

It was Minister Amorim who first notified President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the terrorist attack Tuesday. The president declared three days of national mourning in Brazil. (SIGNED)

NEB/MCB/RAE/FC