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Russian leaders send condolences to Poland on plane crash

2010-04-12 10:45 BJT

Special Report: Polish President Dies In Plane Crash |

MOSCOW, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sent his condolences to Polish parliament speaker on the plane crash that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and other all onboard in western Russia on Saturday.

"I, like all Russian citizens, have accepted with deep and sincere shock the news of the tragic death of the Republic of Poland's President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and the members of the large Polish delegation near the city of Smolensk, who were on their way for commemorations in Katyn," the Kremlin's press service quoted Medvedev as saying in his message to the acting Polish president Bronislaw Komorowski.

Medvedev added in his statement to Komorowski that a complete investigation into the plane crash would be made in full cooperation with Polish authorities.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin also sent his condolences to his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"Vladimir Putin called Prime Minister Donald Tusk and expressed his condolences to him personally and the entire Polish nation in regard to the tragic airplane crash outside Smolensk," Peskov said.

A chartered plane carrying Polish President Lech Kaczynski crashed near the Smolensk airport in western Russia Saturday, killing all 96 people on board.

After the tragedy, Polish Parliament speaker Bronislaw Komorowski took over presidential duties according to the constitution. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has summoned an extraordinary Cabinet meeting in Warsaw.

Editor: Jin Lin | Source: Xinhua