KURDISTAN PRESIDENT BARZANI SENDS

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 003691 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/I-POL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL IZ SUBJECT: KURDISTAN PRESIDENT BARZANI SENDS CONDOLENCE LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH ¶1. On September 5 Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani addressed a letter to President Bush expressing condolences to the families of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In lieu of an original letter, the EQssy received a copy of the letter from Deputy Prime Minister Rowsch Noori Shaways, a close associate of Barzani. ¶2. A translation of the letter's text follows: To His Excellency George W. Bush President of the United States of America We followed with shock and pain the effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana, and other American cities. We share the American people's grief and sorrow for this huge catastrophe that has taken the lives of thousands of victims and where the injustice of nature has destroyed many economic organizations and displaced millions of people from their cities. We declare, in the name of the people of Kurdistan, our complete sympathy with the families of the victims. At the same time, we believe that with your leadership, the American people, and the support of all of the best people in the world, you will deal with full courage with the effects of the hurricane and will overcome the difficulties resulting from it and will deal with prudence with the future results. Once more, and in the name of the people of Kurdistan, a close friend of the American people, we share your ordeal and wish you and the American people all the best. Masoud Barazani President of the Region Of Kurdistan END TRANSLATION. Satterfield