Polish Report (in Polish)
-07. 29 .2011
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Death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski |
On Saturday morning April 10 2010, President of Poland Lech Kaczynski and his wife along with an official government delegation were killed in a plane crash near
Smolensk, Russia. The crash occurred as they flew to a commemoration ceremony for 22,000 Polish military officers and other elite murdered by the Soviet
forces at Katyn in April 1940.
All 96 people aboard President’s plane* died.
While trying to land in heavy fog the Presidential Tupolev 154 airplane flipped upside down after shearing off its wingtip and plowed into the ground less than 400 yards
from the airport runway. Many top Polish military officials,
lawmakers and leading historical figures from the nation's recent history died in the crash.
Polish Report of the crash published at 07. 29 .2011 pointed to faulty airport equipment (lighting system faulty and inadequate) and poor communication by Russian ground staff
(wrong commands given by Control Tower) contributed to last year's plane crash. Some of the reason of crash, according to the report: luck of proper pilots training, pilots
being continually overworked and had been trained in a hasty and haphazard manner. The most immediate cause of the crash, the report found, was the crew’s “failure to monitor
altitude by means of a pressure altimeter during a non-precision approach” — they descended too far below the fog without realizing it.
But released at 01.16.2012 new readings of black boxes by experts in Krakow found no voice of General Blasik (supposedly adding pressure on pilots) in cockpit during final minutes and the 2nd
pilot R. Grzywna correctly reading high altitude.
"One can even say that the soothing directions from the
control tower were misleading. The crew thought it had not
committed any errors and that it was on the right approach
path," Polish Interior Minister Jerzy Miller said back in july 2011.
The report said there was no evidence that any
passengers had put pressure on the pilots to land against their
wishes. From the conversation between 2nd pilot and pilot: what if we wont land? –then we go away.. we’ll see, we approach lower and we’ll see-we approach lower, will see, ok.
Those findings largely correspondents with presumptions of Sejm (lower house of parliament) Committee ** headed by A. Mecierewicz***, which was investigating (separately from Polish & Russian panels) all possible causes (including negligence of some government personnel prior departure decisions, and technical safety).
In January 2012 government experts cited the procedures not being followed (including by Chiefs of Prime Minister Chancellery and Government Protection Bureau) and the necessary elements before the plane took off were not met.
At Sept. 23. Polish experts begun examination of the plane wrack. Some doubt any findings 18 mo after the crash.
Day before the Report, Polish Defense Minister B. Klich resigned. Report included things that should be done differently on Polish Government side before the crash. At 08.02 2011. (Russian committee) MAK denounced Polish report and announced it won’t change anything in its report.
In connection with Polish report findings, new Defense Minister T. Siemoniak, on August 4 ‘11 disbanded the entire 36 air force regiment which flew Prime Minister & President, and dismissed 13 officers and C. Piatas, Deputy Minister of Defense. Opposition and critics called for resignation of other Government officials responsible for decision making & overseeing. Among names Interior Ministry Miller who overseas Government Protection Bureau which failed on prevention proceeding. Some stated that the whole tragedy was an effect of “war” between Governing party and President that resulted in a lot of negligence’s.
The PiS (Kaczynski party) party published its own report on June 2011 saying
Russia bore the main responsibility for the plane crash.
Kaczynski has accused Tusk of conniving with Moscow to cover up
the full truth behind the disaster. Tusk denies the claims.
Polish daily newspaper, Nasz Dziennik on 08.04.2011 noted that chaos, pressure, worsen weather and landing try of Il 76 pilots (eventually redirected to other airport),
could also have impact on the situation. Airport officers didn’t close the airport possibly waiting for such decision from upper command center.
Polish side still doesn’t know whom officer Krasnolucki (on Control Tower) talked to in Moscow. Russian side said they know but didn’t release name.
In November 2010, A. Macierewicz and Mrs. Fotyga (also member of Sejm commission) went to Washington to seek US Congress passing resolution to call for international investigation of the crash. They met with Ilani Ross-Lehtinen (upcoming chairman of Foreign Committee) presenting 300 000 signatures under call for international investigation.
In October ’10 Russia gave Polish side the report of its crash investigation. On December 16, Poland submitted its remarks (about 150 pages objections & questions) to the Russian
accident report.
At 01.12.2011 Russia released its final report on cause of crash, pointing to psychological (piled) pressure to land among other reasons. Next day, Polish Prime Minister Tusk, partially criticize Russian report, calling it incomplete because it did not assign any responsibility to Russian air traffic controllers or the rudimentary state of the airport in Smolensk.
Russian report also mentioned alcohol found in blood of General Blasik (who was supposedly-evidence released in January 2012 proved that wrong- with pilots in cabin).
General’s widow, Ewa Blasik strongly condemned the report saying her husband was an honor man first of all. She also said Polish Government failed do defend its general’s when they can’t. “I would like to protest against the passivity of the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk,” she said.
Polish experts condemned MAK (Russia's Interstate Aviation Committee) report because it absolved Russian Air Traffic Control (ATC) officers of any blame. Polish investigators said controllers gave pilots poor advice in the moments before it crashed – they been told they are on the right track to land while it was actually too low-the plane was about 80 meters off course. The aircraft was actually flying 70 yards (meters) below the level where it should have been. The Polish panel said that the crew had been told that visibility on the ground was 800m whereas it was down to 200m.
Polish panel added the controllers were under pressure and told the pilots they were on course. The “horizont” warning came from Control Tower too late and info about weather change wasn’t given early enough. It was also pointed that Russian Army Officer Krasnolucki was at the Control Tower, directing presidential flight along with the controllers, despite rules allowing controllers only to do such. They were navigating TU154 to the airport despite bad weather and facts that 1 airplane (Russian airlines Yak40) was diverted to another airport earlier same day, and another plane ( Polish airlines Il76l) landed with troubles shortly before TU154 attempt. Polish experts believe the state of the airport — which lacked sophisticated navigation equipment — must have played a role too.
Interior Ministry, Jerzy Miller told reporters at 01.19.’11 that the investigating commission work is not to point quilt but to find out which factors played or didn’t play role in the catastrophe. Shortly after Miller’s conference, A. Macierewicz stated “ they were directed to death it’s a tragic reality hidden by (Polish) government (scripts were known to Polish side months earlier)” “We raveled it when we could- after final MAK report” responded Government side. “There was no biggest lie (told by Poles) in history of Poland”said Macierewicz in regards to the investigation, during special commission meeting in Sejm on the same day.
A. Duda (Chief of late President Chancellery), in his post from 08.14.2011 wrote PM Tusk and Foreign Minister, Sikorski, violated the constitution during talks with Russian side since 09.2009 about Katyn commemoration. Constitution requires to inform head of the state (President) about such.
Fatalities included the country's army chief, the deputy foreign minister, the Central Bank governor, and scores of other officials, legislators as well as the crew members.
Also aboard the plane were war veterans, surviving relatives of Poles killed by the Soviets, and representatives of various religious denominations. Among the notable Polish
historic figures who died in the crash were 90-year-old Ryszard Kaczorowski, Poland's last "President-in-exile" during the Soviet years, and 80-year-old Anna Walentynowicz,
the shipyard worker whose dismissal in 1980 sparked the protests that led to the formation of the Solidarity trade union and ultimately to the collapse of Polish communism and
the fall of the Iron Curtain.
"Perhaps I poured so many tears in my life so that on my behalf someone would laugh at least once more in their life."
Anna Walentynowicz, September 9, 1980.
Many Poles called the tragic accident one of the worst disasters since the Second World War. Flags around the country were lowered to half-staff. Some residents taped
black
ribbons to their windows; others wept as televisions broadcasted the news. Immediately after the news broke tens of thousands of Poles instinctively assembled at the
Presidential Palace
bringing flowers and votive candles. The Polish national anthem "Poland has not perished while we are alive…" was often spontaneously sung. A week of national mourning was
declared,
sports
and entertainment events were postponed and shopping malls and most restaurants were closed.
The tragedy gripped Poland with particular emotional force in part because the plane crashed near a site notorious in Polish history: the Katyn forest where 70 years ago
the Soviet secret police slaughtered thousands of Polish officers and other elite - doctors, professors,
lawmakers, police officers, public servants, landowners, factory owners, lawyers, priests- and dumped their bodies into mass graves. President Kaczynski and his delegation
were to attend a Mass to commemorate this 70th anniversary of the massacre.
As some pointed out, the crash occurred on Saturday, the eve of the Second Sunday of Easter
(Assumption Day), exactly the same holiday eve that Pope John Paul II died five years earlier, which was also a Saturday. The stark irony of the crash elevated
President Kaczynski's death to an event regarded worldwide not only as the loss of a country’s leader, but also as an echo of Poland's most torturous historic moments.
Condolences immediately followed from leaders and political figures from around the world, including all European countries, Brazil, Canada, Iran, Kenya, Russia, USA,
Venezuela, and many more. The European Union as well as several countries declared a national day of mourning.
In expressing his condolences to the Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said: “In this accident, Poland has lost some of its
most brilliant and dedicated patriots and public servants—citizens who have transformed their country into a model of peace and prosperity at the center of the Euro-Atlantic
community.”
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton telephoned the Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski to offer her personal condolences. In a statement issued shortly after she
learned of the catastrophe, she said: "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 European Parliament held a special ceremony where all the names of the crash victims were read by Polish and non-Polish parliament members. During the following week,
churches around the globe filled with people in memory of the tragedy in Smolensk. Several foreign officials, including the Belgian Prime Minister, spoke in Polish during
the ceremonies. The Pope addressed crowds at the Vatican also in Polish. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution expressing sympathy with the people of Poland. Victims of the
airplane crash were also honored by a minute of silence before soccer matches throughout Europe.
On April 10, the day of the plane crash, memorial service prayers were organized in Polish communities around the globe. News of the Masses to mourn Poland’s tragedy spread quickly by email and text messages. The Polish church in Los Angeles filled at virtually a moment’s notice for a 6pm Mass.
President Lech Kaczynski, was a fervent Catholic who battled communism during the Cold War and matured into a staunchly conservative politician.
President Kaczynski and his cabinet presided over a period of prosperity
where based on certain measures the Polish economy has grown to become the
18th largest in the world, a free press where people can openly speak their
mind, and a stable democratic system where voters elect their leaders.
He was a loving family man, often displaying his affection in public. President Kaczynski
is the first Polish leader to die in office since the exiled World War II hero General Wladyslaw Sikorski perished in a plane crash off Gibraltar in 1943.
On April 17, 2010 about 100,000 people
witnessed the official funeral for the crash victims in Warsaw at and around the Pilsudski Square. Elsewhere in Warsaw and in other
cities throughout Poland the funeral was watched on giant TV screens. Sirens sounded and bells tolled around the country. Thousands upon thousands of decorative candles
covered town squares across Warsaw. So many, that officials had to select specific zones for placing candles and called for scouts to keep order there.
In Krakow, the next day on Sunday, over 150,000 city residents and about 5,000 official delegates from around the world, including the Russian President and Prime Minister as well as foreign ambassadors, assembled to mourn at the funeral of President Kaczynski and the first lady, Maria Kaczynska. The elaborate state funeral was bereft of many world leaders whose travel plans were paralyzed by a plume of volcanic ash from Iceland that blanketed Europe forcing nearly all airports to close. U.S. President Barack Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders from Japan, Korea, and China were among those who canceled at the last minute. However, the volcanic ash did not deter everyone as leaders from other countries, including the Baltic and Balkan states, arrived by car. The funeral Mass was held at St. Mary's Basilica, a 13th-century red-brick Gothic church. Inside, scores of Poland's political elite were seated in the ancient pews, shoulder to shoulder with leaders from Armenia, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and other countries.
In his memorial remarks Solidarity leader Janusz Sniadek said, "You have reminded us what it means to be a Pole….we have come to testify that there cannot be a better
world without solidarity. There is no Warsaw or Krakow or Gdansk today. There is just one united Poland, her thoughts deep in mourning." His words were well received and
applauded by thousands outside the church.
The caskets of the Presidential couple were laid down at the historic Wawel Cathedral, the final resting place for Poland's kings, poets and statesmen, including General Wladyslaw Sikorski (the exiled World War II leader who died in a mysterious plane crash off Gibraltar in 1943), Tadeusz Kosciuszko (hero of the American Revolution and of Poland's 1794 uprising against Russia's occupation), Jozef Pilsudski (Prime Minister and leader of Poland from 1926 until his death in 1935), and Romantic-era poet Adam Mickiewicz. Photos of all plane crash victims were placed afterwards next to the presidential coffin.
In downtown London, the funeral was shown
live on a giant screen and it was also telecast in many other locations worldwide despite the time difference. Separate funerals for the other victims were held over the next
few days and were also well attended.
Memorial services were also held worldwide.
In Los Angeles more than 400 people of Polish descent, many holding white and red
striped Polish flags, gathered at the Cathedral of
Our Lady of the Angels for a Mass with Cardinal R. Mahoney. During the traditional Mass, Cardinal described the faith of the Polish people as an example to Catholics
all over the world. "Today, as we are in solidarity with our Polish brothers and sisters, we are actually inspired by that deep spirit that no secular government has
been able to diminish or to quench," the Cardinal said.
By special declaration of Georgian President M. Saakashvili, President Kaczynski was awarded the title of 'National Hero of Georgia' "for showing heroism in defending Georgia's interests" internationally. President Kaczynski was strong supporter of Georgia in its conflict with Russia. Former Polish president Aleksander Kwasniewski said in television interview, "It [Katyn] is a cursed place. First the flower of the Second Polish Republic is murdered in the forests around Smolensk, now the elite of the Third Polish Republic die in this tragic plane crash when approaching Smolensk North Airport."
The commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre was mired in a political conflict between the liberal government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the
conservative opposition of President Kaczynski. On April 7, Prime Minister Tusk, along with government officials and members of his party, attended a ceremony in Katyn
on invitation from Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The official commemoration, organized by the Polish Council for the Protection of Struggle and Martyrdom Sites,
was scheduled for April 10, the date when the tragic accident occurred.
Nevertheless, both the ruling coalition and opposition were represented on board of the fateful plane with members from both chambers of parliament being present. Among the many
passengers actively opposed to Prime Minister Tusk's policies and his liberal approach to Russia were President Kaczynski, President of the National Bank of Poland—Slawomir
Skrzypek, President of the National Institute of Remembrance—Janusz Kurtyka, and Ombudsman—Janusz Kochanowski
On August 16th, motorcycle crusade of Government Protection Bureau members went to Smolensk in commemoration of follow agents deaths in crash. September 7th , a commemorative plaque of late President Kaczynski and his wife, President Kaczorowski, and rest of members of Government was placed in presidential Palace in Warsaw. September 10, a commemorative plaque placed in Krakow’s Wawel wit the names of all victims. At September 17 2010 ( anniversary of Soviet aggression on Poland during WWII), monument to commemorate victims of both Katyn and Smolensk tragedies was placed in city of Glogow.
The silver lining of the Smolensk plane tragedy may lie in the unprecedented worldwide publicity, including on Russian television, given to the 1940 Katyn massacre, which
hitherto had been relatively unknown outside of Poland. More Russian documents on Katyn are being declassified and files are being published online. Many families of the
Stalin regime’s victims are hoping that these newly released documents will finally reveal the names of thousands of missing and unaccounted Polish officers and elite.
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Soon after the crash –some at April 12-, few Governmental positions held by those who died were filled by new people, although their vices were able to do the work.
Since April crash, several high ranking military officials resigned from duty, reasons including sick and personal.
On 08.16.10 Polish law journal published documents showing Foregin Ministry knew about poor Smolensk airport conditions since March after received official memo
from Russian side. That news were pass to Presidential Chancellery 2 days after the crash. At September 16, Prosecutor Z. Rzepa informed that there were no Government Protection Bureau presence at the airport at the time of crash. They were at the ceremony side.
The poor lighting
system at the Smolensk airport been replaced since the crash. Currently Smolensk airport is undergoing renovation and is expected to reopen in 2014.
Body parts found by scouts
Call for international investigation
Statements changed
Negligence
Documents from Russia
Memorandum
Exhumation
Exhumation of Z. Wasserman took place at 08.29.2011, reasons included differences between Polish and Russian medical findings, and families requests to find out how exactly he died. Russian report contains description of the body parts Wasserman didn’t have. Differences in other cases awaiting exhumation permission include height and weight.
Stolen credit cards
On August 23 prosecutors filed court case against 3 former secret police agents who allegedly planed to poison Anna Walentynowicz in October ’81,
but didn’t because she left day early. Walentynowicz saw the files in recent years learning that her friends collaborated in this to be plot.
3 agents can get up to 5 years in prison. Appealing Court in Lublin overruled in September ’11, decision of lower Court in Radom from June ‘11, of closing the case against those officers. It means they still can be prosecuted.
During the meetings with Polonia, Macierewicz said the most likely cause of crash was wrong parameters given by control tower and landing lanes different from map.
He also pointed on possibility of negligence of some officials from polish Government, including the Minister of Defense Klich giving green light for departure
of top military personnel (in February same Minister wrote that current Government airplanes can’t guarantee safety), and Prime Minister
Chancellery Chief Tomasz Adamski responsible for giving final permission to depart (soon prior deaprture technical problems were repair at that airplane). Macierewicz added that during
first hours after crash, without investigating, pilots error were pointed as a reason. Now it seams as other reason played major factors. Klich was originally to
go aboard the plane but he didn't.
Decision of not buying new airplanes for Government use was made by Ministry of Defense in 2008. Airplane crashed near Smolensk, was under general repair at
Russian mechanic shop, then 12 more problems needed to be repair. 2 days prior departure to Smolensk, work needed to be done on auto pilot. Macierewicz said that
Government officials failed to guarantee safety and didn’t follow protocols, which include having another plane ready at the time of departure and person/s from Gov.
Protection Bureau waiting at the arrival airport. Generals aboard should have security persons along according to NATO procedures. Ministry of Defense didn’t
comment.
He also added that Chicago Convention was used in investigation protocol, instead of agreement signed directly between Poland and Russia allowing Country of crashed
plane to lead the investigation. According to him, Russian President offered such option, but Prime Minister Tusk didn’t choose it being afraid of image not trusting
Russian investigators. “I don’t know of any other country which will not want to have its specialists leading investigation of its Government plane crash”
he said. NATO offer of help investigation with its technology was also rejected by PM Tusk..
Antoni Macierewicz said he is confident his panel will find out what exactly happen before and after the crash, but have problems knowing what happened during the fly.
Still in August there was no authentic copies of all “black boxes” , although copies being brought few times-each time something was missing from recording.
He said he will put on trial those responsible for negligence.
Macierewicz went back to September 2009- war anniversary gathering in Gdansk where Russian PM Putin tried to persuade Polish side to call Katyn a war crime, not
genocide. Kaczynski replied then that this crime is a case of stability of Europe, not local issue, and that Germany noted its II War crimes a genocide and Russia
must do the same. Then in Polish PM office, decision about 2 separate trips to commemorate Kayn massacre was made. “Without this decision, this tragedy
wouldn’t happen” Macierewicz said.
During meetings in California, Mr. Macierewicz spoke about information given by Russians to PM Tusk office in February 2010 about Smolensk airport
not being ready for safe landings. Polish Foreign Minister pointed commission to check on this suggestions, but the commission visit to Smolensk were postponed by Polish side couple of times, and when it made to Russia, it could not examine the airport. Mecierewicz didn’t say why. Information given by Russian to Polish PM office got to President Chancellery April 12…2days after the crash.
Macierewicz said he is asking to call for US congress to support King’s –or similar written by any Congressman- resolution, because it would help investigation
in many maters.
He (this time with member of the Sejm Investigating Committee Mrs. Fotyga and Pawel Kurtyka-son of Janusz) went back to Washington in November 2010 delivering on hands of Ilani
Ross-Lehtinen 300 000 signatures under call for international investigation.
Polish Representative in Russian bi-country air committee, Edmund Klich, stated at September 27 ’10 that if proper “commission” would
come to examine the airport (before the crash) it would prohibit landing of Prime Minister or President there. (Commission was appointed, its trips were delayed, and when went there, it didn’t examine the area.)In Klich’s opinion presidential trip should
be classified as military, not civilian (as Russian site and chief of Polish investigating committee Jerzy Miller are treating it), because Smolensk is a military airport.
On 1 June 2010, the Polish Prime Minister released a full transcript of the last 39 minutes (from 10:02:48.6 to 10:41:05.4 MSD) of the cockpit voice recording.
Katyn commemoration planning for April 2010
Wrack covered
Weather info
And “Dziennik” and other newspapers reported on 03.25.11 that at the day of crash at 8:25am Major Henryk G. signaled Air control Operation about worsen weather condition at Smolensk and officer Jaroslaw Z. ordered these info to be pass on to the presidential airplane crew. It didn’t happen because special permission is required to use satellite phone and it was between shifts on weekend morning.
Private investigation
At April 1 2011 Polish military Prosecutors conducting investigating the crash, ruled out association, but extended its investigation for 6 moths (it was to end April 10). Still under investigation: preparation of the fly to Smolensk, and landing there of Yak40 (governmental plane) shortly before the crash. Also work of controllers from Control Tower and, dispatchers on the ground, as well as potential technical problems of TU 154. Parulski also said that preparation of the fly will go under separate (civilian) investigations for possible work misconduct in Prime Minister and President Chancelleries, Ministry of Defense, Government Protection Bureau, Foreign Ministry and Polish Embassy in Moscow, when organizing fly at April 7th and 10th. Tomasz Hypki from National Council of Aviation said the fly shouldn’t ever happen because the airport didn’t have status of fully functioning. Prosecutor Ireneusz Szelgg didn’t comment on that citing work in progress.
MAK Report reactions
In Poland, plaques for victims were placed at churches, governmental buildings and public places in several cities during the week prior crash anniversary. In Kwidzen’s cathedral, plague for President and al victims was unveiled by daughter of late President, Marta Kaczynska. “this noble gesture should be noted especially because memory about tragically death on April 10th (2010) is not convenient for many” Marta said.
At 04.08.11 in Warsaw Uprising Museum (which L. Kaczynski helped open), plaque for late President was unveiled with his brother Jaroslaw (opposition party) and Warsaw Major A. Waltz (governing coalition party) presence.
At 04.10.11. also in Warsaw, memorial tree for late general was planted. In Presidential Palace, plaque for President’s Chamberlain Indrzejczak (plaque for presidential couple and chancellery workers is there already) was placed.
Jaroslaw — underlining the political rift in the country — boycotted the official events and laid a wreath at a makeshift birchwood shrine outside the presidential palace. More than 10 members of Polish parliament were allowed by Government Protection Bureau agents and police to pass by heavy metal barricades set up by presidential palace for he day. They put flowers and candles.
Candles and flowers were cleaned out thru the city next day.
Official commemorations ceremonies were hold at Warsaw’s cemetery with PM Tusk, other government officials and with some tragedy victims attending. Official ceremoinies also included concert.
Families of Smolensk crash victims met at the private memorial at Warsaw’s airport. Reporters were not allowed.
In London’s downtown Poles placed cross made out of vocal candles and sang patriotic songs. The presentation (largely criticizing Polish and Russian official investigations) followed.
As of the ideas for crash victims monument, 96 lights in front of presidential palace coming from sidewalk. Thousands signatures under this proposal were collected.
Commemoration ceremonies were also hold in Katyn where 71 years ago nearly 22 000 Polish officers, scholars and others were killed. Late president and 96 others killed in the last year’s
crash were going to commemorate 70th anniversary of Katyn murder. This year, both Presidents of Poland Komorowski and Russia Medvedev were there. Komorowski, in his speech included words
from text prepared by Lech Kaczynski for last year anniversary. Smolensk and Katyn victims families were also there. During several days Poles
from different states –including Livonia- arrived to pay respect.
Hidding tragedy from mother
Removal of plaque in Smolensk
In June 06 2011, Lukasz Kaminski was chosen by Sejm to succeed J. Kurtyka as head of National Institute of Remembrance. Also in June '11 M. Pasionek, one of prosecutors
coordinating Smolensk investigation, was suspended by office of General Prosecutor f or compromising. No details immediately given, but speculation included Pasionek
request for satellite pictures of crash from U.S. and sharing with U.S.A. investigation information. Pasionek works as a prosecutor since 1989 and took part in some well known prosecutions.
No voice of Gen. Blasik
Polish prosecutors came back from Russia in December after examining evidence and gathering statements. Military investigation is expected to least few more months.
At 01.14.2012 W. Bienida & other expert from US University of Arkon, Ohio presented at Polish Parliament conclusion of their investigation of how the plane crashed,
saying it could not be caused by hitting the tree. According to them, the plane wing would not travel that far as it did after touching the tree. That conclusion was
immediately disputed by some experts in Poland.
Procedures were not follow
AFTERMATH:
Weeks after the tragedy, body parts, personal belongings and airplane part were found by the scouts at the crash site despite the Polish health minister’s Ewa Kopacz public assurances (after she returned from the crash side) that Russian investigators had sifted meticulously through the soil and there is nothing left there.
At meeting with PM Tusk, on Nov. 17. 2010, the Katyn Families members were told that Minister Kopacz was misinformed by Russian side. Despite Families requests for prosecutor, none was present at this meeting, therefore most other questions in regards to crash investigation could not be answer.
Public pressure on the Polish government to call for an international investigation into the plane crash grew as thousands of people -300 000 as of 11 2010- signed petitions.
U.S. Congressman Peter King of New York also called for such investigation. The question at
hand was whether the accident could have been prevented or minimized. Wikipedia, quoted an article from the Charleston Mercury written by the President of the Association
of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and a former CIA analyst: “political violence should not be ruled out under the circumstances of the plane
crash.”
Washington Examiner columnist D. West wrote at 12.31.2011: In this worst case scenario, Russian air controllers incorrectly informed Polish pilots they were on the
proper glide path when that wasn't true. On purpose? If so, the world has witnessed the mass assassination of a government. And done nothing. I don't claim to judge the evidence.
But it's clear an impartial investigation is warranted because of a Moscow-run investigative process marked by irregularities.
On June 8, news surfaced that
the pilot’s requests of navigating the plane with help of Russian aboard (a method not in practice since 2009) went unanswered. On June 18,
media reports began stressing that neither transcripts of communication between the Smolensk control tower and Moscow, nor information about specific technical equipment
(e.g., radar) in use, had been released although requests for both had been made.
At 07.21. 2010 Russian prosecutors (citing procedures) withdrew statements made by W. Ryzenko & P. Pilusin from Control Tower during the interrogation (without Polish presence) hours after the crash. Later, Russian prosecutors added new statement by both Control towers workers taken on 08.2010 (4 months after the accident). There were no more mention of 2 additional officers who according to April interrogation were also at the Tower and visibility now reported about 400m versus 800m stated previously (reported Gazeta Polska at 12.14.10).
On 02.18.2011 (about 10 months after crash) Polish prosecutors return from 2 weeks trip to Russia, where according to General Prosecutor Andrzej Seremnt that they had enough time to interview tower controllers and didn’t meet any problems from Russian side. Additional documents previously not seen by Polish side, were sent to Poland. Same day Russian prosecutors (still conducting its investigation) informed that so far they didn’t find anything wrong in MAK report released in January.
Some military and aviation experts are accusing the Polish authorities of negligence, arrogance and lack of competence. According to these experts, if proper measures had
been
taken over the last two years the accident near Smolensk could have been prevented. There have been calls to upgrade official airplanes. Although Tupolev-154s are aging
planes, many are still in current use worldwide and there have been very few accidents due to technical issues in prior years. However, this particular presidential plane
experienced two instances of technical difficulties in 2010. Between the years 2000-2010, the Polish Air force suffered several catastrophes including a helicopter accident
with former Prime Minister Leszek Miller aboard and a tragic crash that killed 20 top Air Force pilots in 2008.
The Smolensk airport, which would have been normally closed under such severe weather conditions, remained open perhaps because management feared that closing it for such an
important flight would have caused a diplomatic affair. About an hour before the crash, a Yakovlev Yak-40 jet, also belonging to the Polish government, carrying Polish
journalists landed there with troubles but without incident. But shortly afterwards, a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 was diverted to an airport near Moscow due to poor visibility.
Poland officials received 1st set of Russian investigation documents in the second half of June 2010. In April 2011, Russian side said it gave Poland the rest of its all investigation documents.
Permission to allow Polish archeologists to examine the crash site was given in July; Polish geologist began working at crash side in October 2010.
President Kaczynski’s
cell phone, weapons and ammunition of military officials, and the crashed airplane parts, "black boxes" have not yet been turned over to the Polish authorities.
In May 2010 Polish (Min. of Interior Jerzy Miller)-Russian (Min. of Transprtation Igor Lewitin) sides signed Memorandum allowing black boxes and plane wrack to be kept in Russia during the end of its prosecutors investigation. On March ‘11 Minister of Transportation in previous government, Jerzy Polaczek called “international scandal” the fact that the evidence is still in Russia. According to Mariusz Muszynski, noted law professor at University in Warsaw, this Memorandum has only limited power as it is between resorts agreement, because it didn’t go thru required procedures, one of them being acceptance by Panel of Ministers. Interior Ministry didn’t specify on which law the Memorandum was based.
On July 13 2010, after three months of unsuccessful requests to obtain Russian forensic autopsy documents,
the widow of Przemyslaw Gosiewki asked for the exhumation of her husband's body to learn the direct cause of his death. On the previous day, she had voiced her doubts to
the Polish media whether the coffin actually contained her husband's body. Zbigniew Wasserman’s family has also mentioned a possible exhumation. At a hearing at the lower
chamber of parliament (Sejm) on July 23, more families of victims asked for exhumations. Questions were also raised about how Polish prosecutors could have allowed funerals
without conducting forensic autopsies. As of July, only a transcript of the forensic autopsy of President Kaczynski has been received.
On 6 June, 2010 it was reported that payments had been made from a credit card found on the body of historian Andrzej Przewoznik, one of the victims of the crash. Credit cards belonging to the politician Aleksandra Natalli-Swiat were also missing but were not used in any transactions. On 8 June 2010, ITAR-TASS reported that four soldiers of Unit 06755 had been charged in connection with the theft, after being found in possession of three credit cards used in illegal transactions. The first withdrawals using the cards had been made around two hours after the crash. The Russian government's immediate reaction was to promise to give back the amount stolen from the cards after the thieves are convicted. Monika Lewandowska, a spokeswoman for Warsaw prosecutors, said 11 withdrawals were made from Przwoznik card and second card belonging to Przewoznik was also stolen and there were six failed attempts to obtain money using that one. On 01 15 2011 Russian side said Polish prosecutors will get copies of its crime investigation. Soldiers S.A. Syrov, I.V. Pustovar, A.S. Pankratov and Y.S. Sankov admit quilt.
On Septemeber ’10 Families of tragedy victims and late President twin brother, Jaroslaw Kaczynski**** stated separately they will not join planed special pilgrim to Smolensk because President
Komorowski’s wife going along. Back when Komorowski was the Speaker of Sejm, he made comments -seen by many as highly improper-towards late president.
At September 25, Komorowski said about one of those comments***** made about 2 years earlier during Kaczynski visit to Goergia, that he directed those
towards Georgian president. The pilgrim arrived in Smolensk at 10.10.10.
Wodden cross
After the crash, wooden cross placed to commemorate the death of late President Lech Kaczynski. Early August proposal has been made to relocate cross from the presidential residence and displayed instead in nearby St. Anne's Church, one of the capital's most famous monuments. At the side of the original site of the cross, a commemorative plaque would be placed in the pavement. On August 3, over 1,000 protesters prevented the removal of the cross. Later, several pro and against demos ware staged. The Polish church and country top officials called for calm.
Newly elected president Komorowski, on 1st day of his sworn presidency made decision (Archbishop also called for ) to relocate the cross. Same day President also approved big monument for Soviet soldiers in eastern Poland on bases that they also died during the war having no choice from Soviets regime but to go forward and kill. Monument met wide spread criticism as Soviet Union also invited Poland during the war. Later new president also signed law allowing former communist secret police access the files their prepared on democracy activists. Late President opposed it partially, because those files might contain very personal info that now could potentially be use to blackmail.
Wooden cross in front of presidential palace was watched by its supporters 24/7. Although presence of law enforcement, cross defenders were being urine and spit at on several occasions, and drunks and nudity were often done near the cross by its opponents. At September 16th 8am the cross was removed without announcement and moved to Presidential Palace chapel. Jaroslaw Kaczynski (brother of late President) said he doesn’t believe the proper commemorate monument would be placed by presidential palace under current government. Defenders of the cross didn’t leave bringing small crosses and vowed to stay until commemorate plaque will be placed by Presidential palace. At evening of same day, thousands –among them Polish Canadian- staged protest by the Palace. Some politicians supporting cross removal pointed on quick quiet action as a weakness of government.
Candles and flowers are still being bring by the Palace at 10th of each month. Its being cleanup late night in regular city cleaning procedures.
Macierewicz in U.S.
Chairman of Sejm (lower house of parliament) Committee to investigate plane crash near Smolensk Antoni Macierewicz, visited California and Washington DC in August
(then Washington in November) 2010to gain support for US Congress to pass Resolution for international investigation into crash.
Rep. Peter King submitted such resolution at June 30 2010.
4 month before the crash, General Majewski (assistant of Army Chief of Staff), tried to cut off air force budget, but late Gen. Blasik stopped it with strong intervention at the late (died at crash) Army Chief of Staff, Gagor.
Decision of President plans to fly to commemorate Katyn anniversary was officially announced at January 17.
General prosecutor of Poland, said investigation found no pressure to land on pilot from anyone.
Communication scripts between Air Traffic Control tower and airplane released on 01.19 2011, shows controllers being under high stress. In final seconds of light, one controller said “ he (pilot) decided alone, let himself farther…” Controllers were cursing obscenities in between attempts to contact the pilot.
Jaeck Sasin from President’s Kaczynski Chancellery said that the official letters from Chancellery notifying about President’s plans to attend 70th anniversary of Katyn massacre were sent to Russian Ambassador and to Polish government (including Foreign Ministry) at January 27th, but no direct response came back. 8 days later, February 3rd, media informed that Russian P.M. Putin invited Polish PM Tusk to commemorate that anniversary. A. Duda (chief of President Chancellery) said Tusk accepted invitation practically immediately, which suggest the consolation (between two Prime Ministers and inside Polish government******) took place earlier. On February 22nd during the visit to Presidential Palace, Russian ambassador in Warsaw, confirmed knowing about Kaczynski’s plan to attend anniversary, but denied knowing so questioned at other places. On February 23rd 2010 Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski said at conference (in Belgium) that government will not disrupt President’s plans. Foreign Ministry sent President a letter giving 04.10.10 as a commemoration ceremony date and asked for attending confirmation. Later media published 04.07.10 as a date with Polish and Russian Prime ministers attending. Then Council of remembrance of Struggle and Martyrdom (Rada Pamieci Walki Meczenstwa) set 2 different days for commemoration, April 7th w with Prime Ministers attending, and April 10th with President attending.
The airplane wrack was covered in October 2010. Smolensk metro area Gubernator, A. Jewsiejekow, explained why it took so long: “ Poland made the request to Moscow,
Moscow then requested Smolensk authority, then Smolensk had to find funds for the covering”. Polish criminology expert, Brunon Holys said covering wrack 6 months after
the accident comes too late as the climate symptoms might have impact on the evidence.
On October 5th 2010, newscasts –including “Teleexpress” i “Wiadoosci”- informed that according to investigation documents, the good weather condition was given
at 5 am on April 10, but at 845am it was communicated that the conditions changed to worst. The airplane crew never got this information because Foreign Ministry has
no procedure set for passing such information. D. Gorczynski from Polish embassy in Kiev (Ukraine) was preparing presidential visit at Smolensk.
He told journalist at October 5th, that himself, as the Polish Foreign Ministry, thought the plane will be redirected to Minsk (3 hrs driving from Smolensk).
Officer Robert R. followed Officer Hanryk instruction and passed info to Piotr Z., controller at Warsaw’s airport. Officer Robert also stated that even if they can’t talk to presidential plane, its crew surly gets worsen weather info from controllers of country it passes (Belarus and Russia). But clear warning and detailed weather report didn’t come.
About 8:30am Officer Jaroslaw Z. contacted Jaroslaw U. from Government Protection Bureau to help passing new weather condition info, but Bureau didn’t because Russian air control already took over communication. According to “Dziennik” Bureaus Operational Officer Waldemar T. could yet contact Bureaus members on bard but hesitated.
Presidency takeover
A. Duda from Prudential Chancellery told journalist at October 18 ’10, that overtaken of Presidency by Komorowski seems to be “strangely quick”.
He received call at 11 am with information that Mr. Komorowski (then Speaker of Sejm) is ready to take presidential function. Duda opposed and reply to the calling Minister
“do you want to do that based on the tv info?”. Takeover happen after 2 pm, when Russian President sent telegram informing about Kaczynski death.
Mr. Duda added that now we know, at that time the President's body was not found (Government Protection Bureau notified of founding body at 530pm).
Polish radio station RMF informed on 12.07.10 about first private investigation of crash initiated by Maria Kochanowska (daughter of Civil Right Commissioner who died at the crash) to find out if the “Chicago Convention” was the only possible treaty to based investigation on, and if it was no chance of immediately getting the place wrack and “black boxes” by Polish side. Among at least 15 investigators are: London’s law firm with history of representing victims of some of world’s biggest airplane crashes, and international aviation experts. Maria said, the investigation was conducted in “disgracefully” to those who died at the accident.
At 01.21.11 Minister of Defense, B. Klich, among other officials took part in commemoration ceremony of 16 high profile air force officers killed long with crew in military airplane crash in Miroslawiec 3 years earlier. Defense Minister then promised significant changes in air transportation.
In February ’11 (3 years after this tragedy), 23 immediate family members of this crash victims received each compensation of about $50.000 from government.
In the meantime in January '11, immediate family members of Smolensk tragedy were offered each about $83 000 which if taken, wouldn’t exclude them from potential lawsuits for farther compensations.
Investigation so far is based on experts opinions and 500+ witnesses, as evidence is still in Russia. Head of Polish Military Prosecutor, Krzysztof Parulski said that until the end of Russian Prosecutors internal investigations, the airplane wrack is necessary for them and will stay in Russia.
At 01.13.2011, in response to criticism –now not only by Maciereiwcz and Smolensk families, but also by Polish government- of Russian report, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergiej Lawrow said speculations about this tragedy are un ethnical and MAK ( Russia's Interstate Aviation Committee) is independent and international (meaning done with Polish side). P.M. Tusk said he believe in Polish-Russian Joint conclusion. Whoever by evening same day, Aleksej Lawrow from Russian investigating arm, wrote that the report is final as it was officially said a day before.
Lech Kaczynski's twin brother Jaroslaw condemned report as a "joke against Poland", saying the Russian investigators had failed to produce evidence. And
Mr. Tusk said 160+ out of 220 Polish requests were not answered by Russian side. Some international press noted that now stronger Tusk stand helps his party in upcoming in few months parliamentary election.
New York Times on 01.13.11: “the report presents him with the delicate task of sustaining it without alienating Polish voters”
At Jan. 12 2011 Miller stated that both sides were not fully prepared for fly at April 7th and for fly at April 10th. Miller (chief of Polish investigating commission) said, most likely the Polish report will be ready by the end of February. But in April 2011 news media reported about extended release time with no time frame. At 04.12.11 experiment fly was conducted on another TU 154 with intention to fond out if pilots had enough time to pull up. It was one of the things needed to release Polish report.
One of world’s best knows newspapers, LA Times (01.13.11) called the Smolensk accident “Poland's most devastating tragedy since the war” And 5 days prior the 1st crash anniversary, Polish Consulate in Los Angeles, called the crash “most tragic part of Poland’s history since the WWII”.
About 1,000 Poles protested outside the Russian Embassy at 04.09.11, waving white and red national flags and banners branding Putin, Russia’s Prime Minister, a “murderer” and Mr Tusk a “traitor”. The protesters believe Russia may have helped to engineer the crash and accuse the Tusk Government of colluding with it.
1st anniversary commemorations
At April 2nd, Polish group Memoramus is organized 5h annual Commemoration March with about 300 Polish and Russian students going from train station near Smolensk to Katyn forest. March was conducted partially by bus, partially walking. In 1940 Soviets droved Polish prisoners from that train station to be executed by shot in back of the head at Katyn forest. 
Between 04.11.09 and 04.11.10. several hundred pilgrims (including family members of last year crash) and government representatives came near Smolensk to pay respect for deaths. 
Main organizers behind (individually organized) all day marches at 04.10.11 in Warsaw, PIS (political party of late President) and newspaper “Gazeta Polska” rich some consensuses (safety, vendors etc) with City Hall, but not about flags with black ribbons on government buildings and sirens. City refused. Tens of thousands of people attended memorial marches in Warsaw and thru Poland. Some cities –including Gdansk- had official sirens.
Small group of protesters set overnight tent there calling for resignation of PM tusk and few Ministers from his cabinet. Next day, law enforcement removed tent and protesters, but some joined by others returned later with cross.
Among mourners in Krakow, some victims family members, daughter of Georgian President, Katyn Families, Solidarity activists and clergy.
In Chicago, special committee has been assembled to organize a “Week of Remembrance” (April 2-10) for those who lost their lives in 2010 catastrophe. Mrs. Marta Kaczynska,
daughter of the late President, has undertaken the honorary patronage of this event. Their presence in the event has also been confirmed by: Maria Seweryn, Anna Wójtowicz,
Zuzanna Kurtyka, Pawel Kurtyka, Beata Gosiewska, Ewa Stankiewicz, Jan Pospieszalski. Program included symphony concerts, exhibition opening, masses celebrated by Archbishop and Caridal,
dinner, meetings, and Unveiling of commemorative plaque.
In Los Angeles, special mass at Polish Parish.
Days earlier, commemorative plaques for plane crash victims was unveiled
in the Parish, that mass was concelebrated by Archbishop from northern Poland A. Dziega.
Jaroslaw made an extraordinary confession, detailing how he lied to their mother and shielded her for seven weeks from the news of the fatal air crash.The immediate problem, after
identifying his brother’s body, was how to break the bad news to his 84-year-old mother, who was lying in an intensive care unit in a Warsaw clinic with a serious heart and lung condition.
He lied to her about his brother aboard visits and harsd time to return due wather codnotion. Ms Kaczynska found out about the death of her son and daughter-in-law some seven weeks
after the crash. She is still alive, out of hospital, and is said to be in reasonable health.
The latest flare-up came over a plaque erected at the crash site by the families of the victims. The plaque said the passengers and crew were on their way to mark the 70th anniversary
of “the Soviet crime of genocide against prisoners of war, Polish Army officers”. But just before the crash anniverssary, diring night (before arrival of 103 people –with First
Lady Komorowska and crash family members- to commemorate the accident) the Russian authorities replaced the plaque with a much shorter text, in both Russian and Polish, that left
out the sign of the cross and all mention of the Katyn killings. “This incident has undermined Russian credibility…. I think it was meant as a blow to the spirit of those who
travel there and to our national psyche” said Malgorzata, widow of Jerzy Szmajdzinski, a former Defence Minister who was on board the doomed plane. Andrei Yevseyenko, a
spokesman for Smolensk's governor said it was “not necessary” to mention Katyn at the site of the crash, and said that the original plaque would be transferred to a museum dedicated
to the massacre. But later it was decided to give it to Warsaw. Removal was explained by need of Russian language at the plaque (orginal one was in Polish only).
But Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Marcin Bosacki described it as a “bad decision” by the Russian authorities. Day later, after offical ceremony by the birch straucked
by TU 154 (compromise to avoid President Komorowski presence by now changed plaque) , Polish and Russian Presidents agreed to create a joint memorial (no specific dates) in both
languages marking the plane crash.
Released at 01.16.2012 new reading of black boxes by experts in Krakow found 17 voices of 9 people, and General Blasik was not one of them. I. Szelag (from military prosecutors which are
still conducting) said; “among identified voices, there is no voice of Mr. General Blasik”. “This day for me marks a big victory for truth” said General’s widow Ewa. New black
boxes expertise also show 2nd pilot R. Grzywna properly reading the high altitude. Both Polish and Russian reports from 2011csuggested in proper readings by pilots and Blasik being in
pilots cabin.
NIK (Polish highest inspectors ) concluded on 01.15.2012 its investigation into air transport of VIPs between 2005-2010 stating that those weren’t properly organized,
and procedures weren’t follow (including by Chiefs of Prime Minister Chancellery and Government Protection Bureau). NIK President J. Jeziorski said necessary elements
before the “presidential” plane took off were not met. NIK passed its conclusion to prosecutors investigating the crash. Air transport of VIP’s in Poland was not safe,
less than simply civilian airways. Prosecutors will decide in February ’12 weather to press charges against Government Protection Bureau. Follow this report,
calls for Bureau chief to resign emerged.
Poland has suffered its share of tragedies throughout history. April 10, 2010, has added one more to the brave nation's past—a country that has endured much and yet has
taken part in so many crucial events that have helped to positively change Europe and the world. "Poland will not perish while we are still alive…(beginning of Polish anthem).
* There is no separate Presidential plane in Poland, all Government airplanes are overseen by Prime Minister office.
** the committee is not a commission and it has less power than commission
*** A. Macierewicz is a politician and a former vice-minister of National Defence and Minister of Internal Affairs, and former the chief of
the counter-intelligence service He is a member of Sejm. In the years 1968-1989 he was a prominent member of the democratic opposition to communist rule and one
of the founders of the Workers' Defence Committee (KOR). In ’02 Macierewicz unveiled (he was assigned for that job by Sejm) secret collaborators of communist Security
Service Sluzba Bezpieczenstwa in the "Macierewicz List", consisting of well known politicians.
**** Jaroslaw Kaczynski was involved in early democracy movement as his brother, and also was opposition activist during communist are. He also was elected to Sejm (lower house of Polish Parliament). Some observers are speculating if his continuous emotional remarks aren’t hurting his party popularity.
***** “taki zamach jaki prezydent” (same association as a president) sort of ironic comments about poorly organized assassination try
of Polish and Georgian presidents in Georgia.
****** Polish Government is formed by majority party/parties in parliament, but President is chosen by general election. President L. Kaczynski was from opposition party.