] BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Major Iraqi newspapers reported the
] space shuttle Columbia tragedy on their front pages on
] Sunday, but it appeared at the bottom, overshadowed by
] one of Saddam Hussein's almost-nightly meetings with
] military commanders.
]
] Although no official Iraqi government statement was
] issued, individual Baghdad officials expressed sympathy
] for the American people, despite the tense confrontation
] between the United States and Iraq.

I'm sorry to hear that Saddam can't even release a formalized "condolences" message about the tragedy. On the other hand, I find it encouraging that at least there are *some* officials in the Iraqi regime who were able to react as human beings.

Shuttle Tragedy Played Lower in Baghdad