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Sergio Vieira de Mello: A Man of
Peace
by Ruben Arvizu*, August 20, 2003
In these dark times of violence and despair, of
wars and genocide, the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello, the Brazilian
diplomat, special representative to the UN in Iraq, is an enormous
loss in the struggle for peace.
His distinguished career as an experienced and
respected diplomat expanded over three decades and his achievements
were important in the cause for justice and goodness.
I had the opportunity to meet him during my work
with the Cousteau Society. I remember his comments regarding Captain
Jacques Cousteau, "He is truly the Quixote of Ecology".
We discussed the urgency to make people understand the need to
protect the environment for future generations. Mr. Mello's remarked,
"the ones we need to convince are the decision makers and
that is the difficult part".
In his own right de Mello was also a Quixote fighting
for what is just and putting his life on the line in some of the
most dangerous trouble spots in the world.
He was an ardent defender of the role of the United
Nations in the Iraq crisis. He relied on his previous experience
as negotiator and diplomat in Lebanon, Rwanda, Kosovo and East
Timor looking for the delicate balance between the UN's presence
in Iraq and the occupying forces.
A couple of days ago a brave journalist was killed
in Baghdad "by mistake" by U.S. forces. Ironically,
those same forces couldn't stop a huge truck loaded with explosives
from reaching the UN building.
Violence and anarchy run rampant in the occupied
Arab nation and more American soldiers are killed or wounded nearly
every day. More resources and more troops will be used to stabilized
Iraq. But a war started by the U.S. showing its disdain for the
UN and the Security Council will not easily reach the peace for
which Mr. Mello and other brave UN officials have died this August
19th.
Ruben Arvizu is the Director for Latin America
of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Presently he is working to
establish the Mexican chapter of NAPF.
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