Secretary Clinton's Statement on The Death of Polish President Kaczynski and His Delegation

No sooner had I posted the article below, this was released.

The Death of Polish President Kaczynski and His Delegation

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

April 10, 2010

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I join President Obama in offering my deepest condolences to the people of Poland, to the Kaczynski family, and to the families of all those killed in this tragedy. Lost alongside President Kaczynski and his wife were Polish leaders from across the political spectrum, men and women who shaped and sped Poland's post-1989 democratic transformation and were leading Poland into its promising future. The tragedy of these lives cut short will be felt deeply across the world, but their legacy will live on in a free and flourishing Poland.

The United States stands with the Polish people in this difficult hour. Like the country he led, President Kaczynski was one of America’s most valued and trusted allies. He was well known in the United States as a champion for democracy against an oppressive regime, a man whose journey took him from the Gda?sk Shipyards to the presidency of a free people. President Kaczynski was an unstinting advocate for freedom and human rights not just in Poland, but around the world. He will be long remembered and sorely missed.

The Polish people have endured more than their share of sorrow, but they have always shown resilience and resolve in the face of adversity -- and I know they will pull together in solidarity to grieve this loss.

My thoughts and prayers are with all the people of Poland today.

Deep and Sincere Condolences to Poland!

This is so sad and devastating for the people of Poland. My heart and prayers go out to them.

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.