Secretary-General Expresses Deep, Heartfelt Condolences to People, Government

of Poland, after President, Dozens of Others Killed in Plane Crash

The following statement was issued on Saturday, 10 April, by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General was shocked to hear the news of the plane crash in which Polish President Lech Kaczyński, his wife and many other people, including senior officials, were killed in Smolensk, Russia.

On behalf of the United Nations, the Secretary-General expresses his deep and heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Poland and to the families of those who perished.

The Secretary-General said President Kaczyński had served his country and people with distinction and conviction, and was deservedly respected internationally.  That he died en route to an event marking a new level of reconciliation between Poland and Russia is particularly poignant.

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For information media • not an official record