In honour of the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr Lech KaczyNski, the First Lady of the Republic of Poland, Mrs Maria KaczyNska, the  Last President of Poland in Exile, Mr Ryszard Kaczorowski  and all those who died on 10 April 2010 in SmoleNsk, Russian Federation

Statement from Her Excellency Ms Barbara Tuge-Erecińska,

The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in the UK

Like all Poles in recent days, I too have been deeply shocked by the tragic airplane crash of 10 April in Smoleńsk. Without a doubt, it is one of the most tragic events in all Polish history. In one moment, as they were travelling to commemorate the Katyń Massacre, the Polish nation lost its leader, the President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Kaczyński, the First Lady, his wife, Maria, the Last President of Poland in Exile, Ryszard Kaczorowski, high level military leaders, high level civilian leaders as well as Poland’s political elite, religious leaders representing various denominations, outstanding lawyers and social activists who all changed the face of Poland forever.

I stand united in pain with the families of those who tragically perished on 10 April. For understandable reasons, I am deeply concerned by the tragic loss of all the outstanding members of Polish society and how this will affect the political and social structures of our country and government.

It is a terrible twist of fate that this tragedy happened in the same place where so many thousands of Polish officers were murdered 70 years ago by the Soviet Secret Police, the NKVD – we have once again lost the best of our generation. However, this time, we are not dealing with the brutal mechanisms of a totalitarian regime, but with an outpour of sympathy, aid and solidarity from not only the Russian Federation, but also from regular citizens. The Polish nation is also deeply moved and grateful for the kind words and support expressed on behalf of the United Kingdom by government leaders and private individuals.

I am deeply moved and heartened by these gestures and actions. I trust that thanks to them, there is true hope to overcome the demons of Polish-Russian historical relations. I am also convinced that our firmly established Polish democracy, with institutions embedded in the European Union and binding international alliances, will overcome this unprecedented trial – we will emerge triumphant and strengthened, despite our sorrow.

I am further assured of this because of the strength of our national bond and human solidarity, which has always proved itself in times of great hardship. We are also obliged to come through, despite our pain and sorrow, in honour of all those who were so brutally taken away from us in Smoleńsk, all that they fought for and achieved, and all those who were murdered in Katyń 70 years ago.