Tagged with polish president lech
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — President Obama on Saturday released the following statement after Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and other senior government figures were killed in a plane crash in western Russia.
“Today, I called Polish Prime Minister Tusk to express Michelle’s and my deepest condolences to the people of Poland on the tragic deaths this morning of President Lech Kaczynski, First Lady Maria Kaczynski, and all who were traveling with them to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kaczynski family, the loved ones of those killed in this tragic plane crash, and the Polish nation.
Today’s loss is devastating to Poland, to the United States, and to the world. President Kaczynski was a distinguished statesman who played a key role in the Solidarity movement, and he was widely admired in the United States as a leader dedicated to advancing freedom and human dignity. With him were many of Poland’s most distinguished civilian and military leaders who have helped to shape Poland’s inspiring democratic transformation. We join all the people of Poland in mourning their passing.
Today, there are heavy hearts across America. The United States cherishes its deep and abiding bonds with the people of Poland. Those bonds are represented in the strength of our alliance, the friendships among our people, and the extraordinary contributions of Polish-Americans who have helped to shape our nation.
It is a testament to the strength of the Polish people that those who were lost were travelling to commemorate a devastating massacre of World War II as the leaders of a strong, vibrant, and free Poland. That strength will ensure that Poland emerges from the depths of this unthinkable tragedy, and that the legacy of the leaders who died today will be a light that continues to guide Poland – and the world – in the direction of human progress.”
(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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) — Israeli President Shimon Peres on Saturday released the following statement after Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and other senior government figures were killed in a plane crash in western Russia.
“The State of Israel is shocked by the report of the terrible tragedy that has struck Poland, and shares in the mourning of the Polish people and the free world.
The news of the tragic accident that has taken the lives of my friend, President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria Kaczynska, and prominent members of Poland’s leadership and its Parliament, has been received with a great deal of pain, shock and distress.
This tragic event is a dreadful blow to the Polish people and the world at large.
My friend, President Kaczynski, was among those who led and advanced the change in his country, and represented free Poland, democratic Poland and modern Poland.
In the many meetings I had with President Kaczynski, I discovered a great leader, determined to press his country forward, a man very much in touch with his people, and who had adopted the viewpoint of a democratic and advanced world.
President Kaczynski and his wife did much to promote closer ties between the Polish and Jewish peoples, making a significant contribution to the healing process of the scars of the past and the building of a common better future.
The bilateral ties between our two countries were strengthened during his presidency, distinguished by a spirit of friendship and warmth.
The State of Israel bows its head, as it partakes in the deep sorrow of the Polish people on the occasion of their dreadful loss.”
(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.)
DUBLIN (BNO NEWS) — Irish President Mary McAleese on Saturday expressed her deep sadness over the deaths of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and many other senior officials.
“I am deeply saddened to learn that a plane crash in Russia has led to the tragic death of President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria and scores of other passengers, including senior Polish officials,” said McAleese in a statement released by her office. “This shocking news will cause immense sadness to the people of Poland to whom I convey my heartfelt sympathy and that of the Irish people. I am also acutely conscious that this tragedy will be particularly painful for the Polish community in Ireland as they come to terms with this terrible loss far from their native land.”
McAleese remembered her meeting with Kaczynski when he visited Ireland in February 2007. “We celebrated together the strong bonds of friendship which unite Ireland and Poland,” she said. “The deep sadness being felt in Poland today is shared by many in Ireland who hold the Polish people in high regard and with great affection. At this time of trauma and bereavement, I extend to the family of President Kaczynski, the Polish Government and people my sincere condolences on their tragic loss.”
(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.)
MOSCOW (BNO NEWS) — Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife were killed when the presidential plane crashed near an airport in western Russia. Scores of other people, including top government officials, were also killed.
At least 96 people were on board the Tupolev 154 aircraft, according to Russia’s Emergency Ministry. The governor of Smolensk Oblast confirmed there were no survivors in the accident, which happened about several hundred meters from the runway of Smolensk Airport.
Lech Kaczyński, 60, was sworn in as President of Poland on December 23, 2005. He was visiting Smolensk for the 70th anniversary of the massacre of Polish prisoners of war in the village of Katyn. Some 20,000 Polish officers were executed there during World War II. His wife, Maria Kaczyńska, was also killed.
Among the others on board the plane was former Polish President Ryszard Kaczorowski. He served as the President of Poland in exile between July 1989 and December 1990.
Head of the National Security Bureau Aleksander Szczyglo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrzej Kremer, Deputy Minister of Defence Stanisław Jerzy Komorowski and Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff Franciszek Gągor were also killed.
World leaders responded with shock to the sudden disaster. “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.”
Kanat Saudabayev, the Kazakh Secretary of State and Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), also offered his condolences. “I offer my deepest condolences to the Polish people and to the families of those killed in this tragic accident. Our hearts go out to you in this difficult time,” said Saudabayev.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said his thoughts are with those who died in the disaster. “On behalf of all of NATO, and myself personally, I express my most profound condolences to the people of Poland, and to the families of President and Mrs Kaczynski and all those who have died in this terrible acccident,” Rasmussen said. “This is a tragedy for them and for Poland. My thoughts are with them today.”
(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.)
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.)
