The suicide bomb attack on United Nations headquarters in Baghdad has laid plain the dilemmas the world faces in healing Iraq. The hatred and chaos that plagues the country threatens all who aim to help the shattered nation. Indiscriminate violence will continue until the international community musters the will and the resources to restore order and hope to the Iraqi people.
This week's attack on the U.N. compound marks the first time that suicide bombers have targeted the world body. The car bomb killed two dozen people and wounded more than 100 others, claiming victims from such countries as the United States, Egypt, the Philippines and Canada.
Among the victims was Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, head of the U.N. mission in Iraq. Mr. Vieira de Mello was a career diplomat on leave from his post as high commissioner for human rights. His many assignments included serving as U.N. administrator in East Timor as that nation gained its independence.