WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — The United States on Saturday called the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and other top officials a tragedy, a spokesman said.

Lech Kaczynski, 60, was killed when the Polish Presidential plane crashed near an airport in western Russia. A total of 132 people, including former Polish President Ryszard Kaczorowski and Chief of Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Franciszek Gągor.

“This is a horrible tragedy for Poland,” said Philip Crowley, Assistant Secretary for U.S. State Department Public Affairs. “We extend to the people of Poland our deepest condolences.”

(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)