Medvedev sends condolences to Poles over Kaczynski death - Summary

Moscow - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made a televised address on Saturday to express his condolences at the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski in a plane crash.

"In the name of the Russian people I send the Polish people my deep and sincere sympathy and promise to help the bereaved and relatives of the victims," a visibly moved Medvedev said on national television.

He said the tragedy had shocked everyone in Russia.

The president promised to work with Polish authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into crash, which occurred in heavy fog near the western Russian city of Smolensk.

Kaczynski and his delegation were on their way to attend a ceremony at the Russian village of Katyn to mark the 70th anniversary of the Soviet massacre of 22,000 Polish officers during World War II.

The Russian leader said his country would go into a state of mourning on Monday as a sign of respect to the late president.

The speech was expected to receive close attention in Warsaw, which has had tense relations with Moscow, although ties had improved recently.

Latest reports said all 97 on board the Russian-built Tupolev TU- 154, including Kaczynski's wife, Maria, the head of the Polish central bank, and much of Poland's military leadership, died in the crash.

Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shogyu said the bodies of the victims would first be taken to Moscow, where relatives of the victims were due to arrive on Sunday.

Earlier, Russian media had spoken of a possible pilot error.

The vice commander of the Russian air force, Sergei Razygrayev, told Itar-Tass news agency the pilot had made four attempts to land in bad visibility and had refused an offer to divert to another airport in Minsk in Belarus.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/318011,medvedev-sends-condolences-to-poles-over-kaczynski-death--summary.html.