Article

2003-08-20 Iraq

Sergio Vieira de Mello Died Trying for Another Miracle

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Posted by Steve White 2003-08-20 2:05:21 AM|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Here's an interesting tidbit on Mr. Mello:
He gained wide praise for overseeing East Timorâs transition to independence after Indonesia withdrew in 1999.
The support the west gave to East Timor when they broke free from muslim Indonesia is one of al-Qaeda's and JI's pet peaves.

Posted by Steve 2003-8-20 10:15:35 AM|| 2003-8-20 10:15:35 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 "The support the west gave to East Timor when they broke free from muslim Indonesia is one of al-Qaeda's and JI's pet peaves"

Good point. Very interesting.

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-8-20 10:38:10 AM|| 2003-8-20 10:38:10 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Good article by Ralph Peters in the Post:

http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/3609.htm

On the other hand, the NYT has no less than one editorial and four op-ed pieces all of which more or less say I Told You So. One of the op-ed pieces is by that great strategist and student of the Middle East, Maureen Dowd. On a quick read, only one (Freidman) expresses any sympathy for the dead.

Posted by Matt 2003-8-20 12:05:40 PM|| 2003-8-20 12:05:40 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 theories:

1. It was baathists. Theyre having trouble killing US soldiers, so theyre going after whatever they can
2. It was Baathists. Taking out Serge and the UN will weaken the coalition position in Iraq, and bring disorder.
3. It was Baathists, just hitting a target of opportunity
4. It was Al Qaeeda. They hated Serge cause of East Timor
5. It was Al Qaeeda. They hate the UN for reasons going back to the founding of Israel.
6. It was Al Qaeeda. By attacking the UN, they hope to stop the reconstruction of Iraq, which they fear very much. They DO believe in Wolfie's reverse domino theory, and will expend assets to stop it.
7. It was Al qaeeda - there was no reason for them to attack the UN, but they're just a bunch of loony jihadis to whom all kafirs are alike.

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-8-20 1:31:52 PM|| 2003-8-20 1:31:52 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1483 and 1500 are why the UN and de Mello were targeted.

Posted by Robert Stevens 2003-8-20 2:18:56 PM|| [http://alphabetcity.blogspot.com] 2003-8-20 2:18:56 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 LH, my personal theory is that is was some sadistic bastards who simply enjoy killing people. AQ, Baathists, makes no never mind.

Posted by Matt 2003-8-20 2:28:05 PM|| 2003-8-20 2:28:05 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 My theory is that the bomber thought he was targeting American forces. Attacking the UN does not make any sense. Any bets you won't see any more attacks on the UN? This was a case of mistaken identity.

Posted by Raphael 2003-8-20 4:16:28 PM|| 2003-8-20 4:16:28 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 Attacking the UN does not make any sense.

And yet the Islama-loons keep doing it. At the least, WANTING to do it. The original plot behind the 1993 WTC attack involved attacking UN headquarters. For better or worse, the Blind Sheik (Rahman?) decided it would make Muslims "look bad", so they decided to try to knock over the WTC instead.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2003-8-20 4:33:17 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2003-8-20 4:33:17 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 Raphael - they had a big ol' honking UN Flag atop the wall, clearly visible, and the facts seem to indicate the the poor guy was directly targetted

Posted by Frank G 2003-8-20 4:39:02 PM|| 2003-8-20 4:39:02 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 It is pointless to try to use rational thought to explain the actions of irrational thinkers. These idiots are fighting for their cause by blowing up oil lines critical for their economy, a water main critical for their largest city, and a humanitarian aid organization. At least the defeated Japanese generals just fell on their swords. In the middle east, the whole culture seems to be suicidal.

Posted by Tom 2003-8-20 4:51:40 PM|| 2003-8-20 4:51:40 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 "the poor guy was directly targetted"
Because the truck happened to blow up next to his office? As for the blue flag, I doubt it had any meaning to the bomber.

Posted by Raphael 2003-8-20 5:34:23 PM|| 2003-8-20 5:34:23 PM|| Front Page Top

07:46 raptor
07:41 raptor
07:22 raptor
00:14 Raj
00:06 Lucky
23:53 Lucky
23:48 Lucky
23:45 Lucky
23:45 Lucky
23:22 Uncle Joe
23:18 Zhang Fei
23:17 Tresho
22:41 Stephen
22:38 Raphael
22:08 Alaska Paul
22:00 Alaska Paul
21:56 Someone who did NOT vote for William Proxmire
21:55 Frank G
21:54 Someone who did NOT vote for William Proxmire
21:51 Frank G
21:49 Frank G
21:48 Someone who did NOT vote for William Proxmire
21:37 tu3031
21:20 john