WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — U.S. President Barack Obama will travel to Poland to attend the state funeral for the Polish president Lech Kaczynski and first lady, the White House announced on Tuesday.

“The president will travel to Krakow to express the depth of our condolences to an important and trusted ally, and our support for the Polish people, on behalf of the American people,” the statement said.

Polish President Lech Kaczynski, first lady Maria Kaczynska and a large Polish delegation were on their way to a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre when their plane crashed during an attempt to land in thick fog at a military airport in Russian city of Smolensk.

President Barack Obama will travel to Krakow on Saturday to attend the state funeral on Sunday, April 18th.

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