Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=8/20/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N / IRAQ (L-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-306689

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: One day after a terrorist attack at U-N headquarters in Baghdad left at least 17 people dead, the U-S Ambassador to the United Nations says the Security Council will discuss a possible, second resolution on Iraq. Correspondent Jenny Badner reports from the United Nations, where diplomats honored the victims of the blast.

TEXT: The Bush Administration had previously opposed a new Security Council resolution expanding the United Nations role in Iraq. Now, U-S Ambassador John Negroponte has indicated that the possibility of a new Security Council measure is under discussion.

/ / / NEGROPONTE ACT / / /

I am saying that we are looking at the possibility of another resolution and this is one of the issues (about which) we are going to be exchanging views with colleagues in the days ahead. But I think (focus) is going to be what are the challenging we face and what further can the council do in order to face up to those challenges.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Ambassador Negroponte did not say if U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell will discuss a possible new resolution during a private meeting with Secretary General Kofi Annan scheduled for Thursday. The Security Council is also expected to revisit the situation in Iraq when the United States and Britain present a report on the Coalition's activities, which will be abridged due to the deadly bombing.

The U-S Ambassador condemned what he called the "deplorable" attack on "innocent civilians" who were trying to assist the Iraqi people. Ambassador Negroponte made his remarks after a special Security Council session that focused on Tuesday's attack.

The Council issued a statement condemning the attack and called for respect for security of United Nations personnel. It expressed determination not to be intimidated but rather to fulfill the United Nations mandate in Iraq.

Security Council members held a moment of silence for the victim's of the blast, including top U-N envoy to Iraq, Brazilian-born Sergio Vieira de Mello. At the same time, U-N employees participated in a candlelight vigil outside the United Nations in memory of their colleagues.

Earlier, U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan, who returned to New York to attend the council session, presented an emotional, video-taped message to U-N employees, describing the attack, quote " as nightmare, from which we are still hoping to wake."

/ / / ANNAN ACT / / /

Many of us will remember the 19th of August 2003 as the darkest day in our lives at the United Nations. We have lost irreplaceable colleagues, who went to Iraq with no other mission than to help the people of that country regain their full sovereignty and independence, under leaders of their choosing.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Mr. Annan said the only way to thank lost U-N colleagues for their "life's contribution" is to vow to complete the work they began. (SIGNED)

NEB/NYC/JB/PT