A plume of smoke rises from the Canal Hotel, headquarters for the United Nations in Baghdad (AP)
Explosion in Baghdad Story aired: Tuesday, August 19, 2003
A huge explosion rocked the area around a hotel housing the U.N. headquarters in northeast Baghdad.
The United Nations distributes humanitarian aid and is developing programs aimed at boosting Iraq's emerging free press, justice system, and is monitoring human rights in the country.
The United States failed to win the backing of the U.N. Security Council before it invaded Iraq on March 20, and since major fighting ended in April, the United States has been reluctant to let the United Nations play a large role in rebuilding the country.
The Canal Hotel operates more as an office building than a hotel. The cafeteria is a popular place for humanitarian workers and journalists to meet.
Just after the blast Here & Now spoke with Khaled Mansour, spokesman for the U.N. World Food Program, and asked him what he saw.
Guests:
Khaled Mansour, spokesman for the U.N. World Food Program
