DATE=8/19/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / BOMB UPDATE (S)

NUMBER=2-306640

BYLINE=KIRK TROY

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The top U-N representative in Iraq and at least 14 other people have been killed in a bomb attack on U-N headquarters in Baghdad. Kirk Troy has the details from the Iraqi capital.

TEXT: The U-S military confirmed that the blast was caused by a car bomb. Top U-N official Sergio Viera de Mello was in his office at the time and died from his injuries.

U-S Army helicopters patrolled the skies around the wreckage of the U-N compound and soldiers sealed off the area fearing that there could be a second bomb.

U-S military helicopters were helping in the rescue effort and flying dozens of the injured to hospitals. A column of black smoke could be seen coming from the blast area.

The number of people in the building at the time is still unclear, but there are on average 200 to 300 Iraqi and foreign workers in the compound.

The U-N headquarters is in a building that was formerly the Canal Hotel and has been used by the United Nations for many years. U-N weapons inspectors were based in the compound during their mandate in the 1990s.

Nearly two-weeks ago, a car bomb exploded outside the Jordanian embassy in Baghdad, killing 17 people. (SIGNED)

NEB/KT/RH/RAE