DATE=8/19/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / BOMB (S)

NUMBER=2-306630

BYLINE=KIRK TROY

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A large bomb ripped through the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad Tuesday afternoon, injuring scores of people. Kirk Troy has the details from the Iraqi capital.

TEXT: ///SOUND OF EXPLOSION, SHOUTING///

The blast occurred in mid-afternoon in Baghdad and caused a large part of the U-N compound to collapse. U-S military helicopters arrived on the scene and were helping in the rescue effort - flying the injured to hospitals. A column of black smoke could be seen coming from the blast area.

The U-S military confirmed that the blast was caused by a car bomb. The top U-N official in Iraq, Sergio Viera de Mello, was in his office at the time of the blast and he was reportedly injured.

The number of people in the building at the time is still unclear but there are on average between 200 and 300 Iraqi and foreign staff that work in the compound.

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

NEB/KT/MAR/FC/RH