April 11, 2010
America Mourns with Poland – U.S. Embassy Warsaw
American officials and Americans around the world are expressing their condolences to Poland. After his phone call with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, President Barack Obama said, “President Kaczynski was a distinguished statesman who played a key role in the Solidarity movement, and he was widely admired in the United States as a leader dedicated to advancing freedom and human dignity … Today, there are heavy hearts across America.” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton phoned Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, and commented “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 United States stands with the Polish people in this difficult hour.” On the afternoon of April 10, Ambassador Lee Feinstein laid a wreath at the Presidential Palace and personally delivered his condolences to the Presidential Chancellery. Referring to the victims of today’s tragedy, Ambassador Feinstein said, “Their inspirational leadership and the memory of their courageous sacrifice shine as an example for future generations of Poles, Americans, and friends of democracy around the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones at this tragic and painful time.”
Statement by Secretary Clinton
Statement by Ambassador Feinstein
Statement by Secretary of Defense Gates
Statement by the U.S. Helsinki Commission
