Posted on 04/10/2010 1:19:25 AM PDT by lizol
Polish president dies in air crash
A plane carrying Lech Kaczynski, the Polish president, has crashed near Smolensk airport in western Russia, killing all on board, Russian officials have reported.
Polish officials confirmed on Saturday that Kaczynski was on board the flight with his wife, as well as Slawomir Skrzypek, the president of Poland's central bank, Andrzej Kremer, the deputy foreign minister and the army chief of staff.
The crash occurred about 1.5km from Smolensk airport in foggy conditions.
+ [*]
So is Barack Obama. Now the Poles will be so busy, they might forget how Obama betrayed them. I don't believe that, but Obama probably does.
What a tragedy... prayers for the Polish people.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/04/10/polish-presidents-plane-crashes-russia-killing/
Updated April 10, 2010
“Polish President, Wife Among Dozens Killed in Russia Plane Crash”
AP
SNIPPET: “The presidential Tu-154 was at least 20 years old. Polish officials have long discussed replacing the planes that carry the country’s leaders but said they lacked the funds. According to the Aviation Safety Network, there have been 66 crashes involving Tu-154s, including six in the past five years. The Russian carrier Aeroflot recently withdrew its Tu-154 fleet from service.”
Note: Map included.
http://avherald.com/h?article=429ec5fa&opt=0
“Crash: Polish Air Force T154 at Smolensk on Apr 10th 2010, impacted trees”
By Simon Hradecky, created Saturday, Apr 10th 2010 10:25Z, last updated Saturday, Apr 10th 2010 10:29Z
SNIPPET: “A Polish Air Force Tupolev TU-154M carrying Poland’s president Lech Kaczynski and his wife leading a delegation of high Polish representatives, registration 101 performing a states flight from Warsaw (Poland) to Smolensk [XUBS] (Russia), was on approach to Smolensk North Airport’s (Air Base) unmarked runway (runway heading approximately 270 degrees) in developing dense fog, when the airplane impacted trees and crashed onto the ground about 2000 meters short of the runway.”
This is a tragedy; but there is a survivor - its POLAND!
Sending Profound condolences and prayers for strength to the Polish people!
Video:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8612902.stm
Page last updated at 09:13 GMT, Saturday, 10 April 2010 10:13 UK
“Devastation at Russia plane crash site”
Sad day.
Whats up with CNN live? They are not talking about this at all, they are just yucking it up about Stupak, the N.O. Saints, the November elections ect.
Nothing about this!
I wonder how this will change the political landscape in Poland. My understanding is that there was a large part of the real conservative elite on board.
IIRC, this was one of the men who stood up against Hussein’s betrayal of the missile system that Bush 43 was going to build.
Hopes and prayers for the good people of Poland.
How awful, prayers for the comfort of his family and for the people of Poland. That is heartbreaking.
Based on Polishh/Soviet history, I'd bet dollars to donuts to Soviets had a hand in this.
Just heard unconfirmed info that 3 people survived and are in hospital. I hope this is true.
Now CNN covers it.
UPDATE:
“Polish president among 96 killed in plane crash”
(2010-04-10)
(REUTERS) -
By Lidia Kelly
SMOLENSK, Russia (Reuters) -
SNIPPET: “”The political consequences will be long-term and possibly will change the entire future landscape of Polish politics,” said Jacek Wasilewski, professor at the Higher School of Social Psychology in Warsaw.
Polish government spokesman Pawel Gras said the country would hold elections after the death of Kaczynski, who was 60 and had been president since 2005.
“In line with the constitution, we will have to hold an early presidential poll,” Gras said. “For now, the speaker of the lower house of parliament, Bronislaw Komorowski, is automatically ... the acting president.””
SNIPPET: “Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said 96 people were aboard the government plane, including 88 members of a Polish delegation en route to commemorate Poles killed in mass murders in the town of Katyn under orders from Soviet leader Josef Stalin in 1940.”
SNIPPET: “Church services were hastily held throughout Poland. In Warsaw people started gathering outside the presidential palace to lay flowers and light candles.”
SNIPPET: “Some relatives of victims of the Katyn massacres were also on board, said a Polish government official in Smolensk.”
Our prayers and with you all.
Seem strange that Al Jeezera is the first to report this? From Russia?
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