(Deputy State Dept. Spokesman Reeker statement) (210) The United is investigating the April 6 incident in which a convoy of Russian diplomats came under fire while leaving Baghdad for Syria, State Department Deputy Spokesman Philip T. Reeker said April 8. "This is a matter of extreme seriousness. The sanctity of diplomatic personages is very important to us as well as the international community and must be upheld," he said. The statement follows: (begin text) U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman April 8, 2003 Statement by Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman RUSSIAN EMBASSY CONVOY INCIDENT The United States is investigating the regrettable April 6 incident in which Russian diplomats and others traveling with them came under fire while leaving Baghdad for Syria. This is a matter of extreme seriousness. The sanctity of diplomatic personages is very important to us as well as the international community and must be upheld. No determination has yet been made as to precisely what happened or whose forces were involved -- we are trying to establish these facts. We are in close communication with the Russian government on this matter. We will communicate fully the findings to the Government of Russia as soon as they are available.