Polish leader, 96 others dead in Russia jet crash
By Victoria Buravchenko And Monika Scislowska, Associated Press Writers
SMOLENSK, Russia – Polish President Lech Kaczynski and some of the country's highest military and civilian leaders died on Saturday when the presidential plane crashed as it came in for a landing in thick fog in western Russia, killing 97, officials said.
Russian and Polish officials said there were no survivors on the 26-year-old Tupolev, which was taking the president, his wife and staff to events marking the 70th anniversary of the massacre in Katyn forest of thousands of Polish officers by Soviet secret police.
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Earlier this week, Secretary Clinton released the following statement regarding this anniversary.
Statement on the 70th Anniversary of the Katyn Massacre
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
April 7, 2010
On April 7 and 10, senior Polish and Russian leaders are participating together in ceremonies commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre. The mass murder in the Katyn forest 70 years ago is a tragic stain on Europe’s past. This meeting of the current generation of Polish and Russian leaders is a sign of a much better present and of the hope for an increasingly bright and peaceful future. We welcome the strengthening of the Russian-Polish relationship this mutual tribute symbolizes, and hope that it promises the continued growth of cooperation in Europe. The United States joins Poland and Russia in remembering those who lost their lives in the Katyn forest seventy years ago.
Tragically, those Polish leaders have perished. I am sure Secretary Clinton will release a statement. When she does, I will post it here.
