VZCZCXRO3582
PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #1385 1131217
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 231217Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0866
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 001385 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL OPDC IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQI LEADERS OFFER CONDOLENCES AFTER VIRGINIA 
TECH SHOOTINGS 
 
¶1. (U) Iraqi Political leaders, including President Talabani, 
Vice-President Hashimi, and Kurdistan Regional Government 
President Barzani offered their condolences both to the 
President as well as to the Ambassador in the wake of the 
shootings at Virginia Tech on April 16. 
 
¶2. (U) The below letter from Vice-President Tariq al-Hashimi 
was conveyed to the Ambassador on April 18. 
 
¶3. (U) Begin text: 
 
April 18, 2007 
 
H.E. Ryan C. Crocker 
Ambassador of the United States of America 
Baghdad 
Iraq 
 
Excellency; 
 
I was shocked by the grievous incident that struck the 
University of Virginia for technologies two days ago, in 
spite the crisis my country is going through which might be 
one of its kind in the resent history as well as the ancient 
one, we still follow up on the Globes events & feel for other 
nation's sufferings therefore I would not hesitate to express 
my compassion with the families of victims whether they were 
students or professors. 
 
Kindly accept my sincere condolences & convey them to 
President George W. Bush, Secretary Condoleezza Rice & the 
American people. 
 
Regards, 
(Signed) 
Tariq al-Hashimi 
Vice President of Iraq 
 
End Text. 
 
¶4. (U) The below letter from President Jalal Talabani to 
President Bush was conveyed to the Ambassador on April 19. 
 
¶5. (U) Begin Text: 
 
Dear President George W Bush, 
 
On behalf of the people of Iraq and myself, I express our 
deepest and most heartfelt condolences for the horrific 
tragedy of Virginia Tech.  While we are mourning our dead 
here in Baghdad, our thoughts are with families of the 
victims for there great loss.  We pray for their strength 
during these difficult times and wish the speedy recovery of 
the wounded. 
 
Sincerely Yours 
Jalal Talabani 
President of Iraq 
 
End Text. 
 
¶6. (U) KRG President Massoud Barzani called the Ambassador on 
April 17 to express his condolences and support for the U.S. 
at a time of national tragedy.  He stressed that the Kurds 
were especially affected because of the strong support the 
U.S. has shown for their security, and asked that his deepest 
sympathy be conveyed to President Bush. 
CROCKER