The world reacts to Polish president’s death in a plane crash in Russia

World leaders have reacted to the death of Polish president Lech Kaczynski and 95 other people including Kaczynski’s wife, Polish government, military and sport officials, politicians, MPs, historians, religious leaders and crew at an April 10 2010 plane crash in Russia.

"I am deeply and sincerely shaken as are all Russian citizens by the news of the tragedy and the death of Poland’s president Lech Kaczynski and his wife in the plane crash near the Russian city of Smolensk" Russian president Dimitri Medvedev said in a telegram to Bronislaw Komorowski, Polish speaker of parliament who according to Poland’s constitution will assume presidential duties.

According to Bulgarian news agency Focus Medvedev said that the plane crash will thoroughly investigated in full cooperation with the Polish side.

German chancellor Angela Merkel said she was shaken by the news of Kaczynski’s death. "I am deeply shattered by the news of Kaczynski’s death and the plane crash" she was quoted as saying by Focus.

German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle said that Kaczynski’s death and the death of dozens of Polish officials was a huge loss for Europe. "It is a tragic moment for Poland. Europe has lost people who could be counted on" he said.

British prime minister Gordon Brown said he was shocked and sadden by the news of Kaczynski’s death.

Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych and Dalia Grybauskaitė president of Lithuania have also sent their condolences over Kaczynski’s death. Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman said that Kaczynski was a true friend of Israel who has helped built good strategic relationship between the two states.

Kazimierz Nycz the archbishop of Warsaw said he did not have the words to describe the tragedy suffered by the relatives, mothers and friends of the crash victims. "I can hardly turn to their children. The words are weak" he said as quoted by Polish media.

The crash was a national tragedy as Poland had lost its elite for the second time after the Katyn massacre.

Tsetska Tsacheva, Bulgaria’s Speaker of Parliament has also sent her condolences. Earlier in the day Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov said that Bulgaria was mourning Kaczynski’s death along with friendly Poland.

The plane crash was an unimaginable tragedy, former Polish president Lech Walesa was quoted as saying by AFP. The nation's elite has died Walesa said.
Media reports said that citizens of Warsaw have started laying down flowers at the presidential palace.

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