Poland lost the flower of its elite in last weekend’s tragic plane crash, just as it did 70 years ago in the Katyn Massacre. The massacre’s documents to this day remain classified, but the recent tragedy may break the impasse in a long struggle between Russia and Poland.
“I am sure nowadays not only in Europe, but in the world many people are aware of what happened in Katyn,” said José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission.
Seventy years ago 20,000 Polish officers and members of the intelligentsia were murdered on Soviet territory by the People’s Commissariat Internal Affairs (NKVD) with Stalin’s approval. In 1943 the Germans discovered the mass graves near the camps, as well as prisons in Katyn forest, which have now become a memorial site. Stalin accused the Nazi regime of the crime.
Before the communist regime began its wane, the issue was untouchable. After the fall of the Soviet Union, however, Russia acknowledged the massacre, but its leaders never referred to the incident as a genocide—none of executioner’s names were uncovered, and no one was ever arrested.
The recent plane crash has been symbolically nicknamed the ‘Second Katyn’ as it happened when the Polish president and other top officials were going to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the mass execution of Polish elite during World War II in Katyn, 12 miles from where the plane crashed near the Russian city of Smolensk.
Non-Soft Figure
The Katyn massacre had always been sensitive for late Polish President Lech Kaczynski, who put great effort into not letting Russia influence the country’s policies. Kaczynski’s policies were typically orientated toward the West, which generally irritated Russian leaders.
Kaczynski accepted the U.S. plan to place an anti-missile defense shield in Poland, but it was derailed due to pressure from Moscow. Kaczynski was also working to free the European Union from dependence on Russian gas by developing and increasing the production of shale gas.
The late president’s anti-Russian policies often caused conflict between himself and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose actions leaned more toward Russia.
The Polish nation is receiving many condolences from around the world and the week of mourning is ongoing. Many international and national meetings began this week with a moment of silence in honor of the deceased Polish president. Among the events was the world nuclear summit in Washington, D.C., which was attended by leaders from 47 nations.
During the opening of the second day of talks on April 13, President Barack Obama offered his condolences to the people of Poland and called for a moment of silence.
“As a close friend and ally, the United States stands with Poland and with Poles everywhere in these very difficult days. As an international community, I know we will all rally around the Polish people who have shown extraordinary strength and resilience throughout their history. So our hearts go out to your people,” Obama said.
Polish Embassies are open in many countries for everyone to come and light a candle to mourn the loss of Poland’s top officials.
The Poles were surprised with the overtures made by Russian leaders aimed at sincerely helping the nation amidst such tragedy. Some commentators say it is a possible sign of a renewed relationship between the two nations.
“For Polish people every signal is very important from Russia. We are open for reconciliation, but we would like to reconcile in the truth,” said Jerzy Buzek, president of the European Parliament.
“Open is necessary. Historians should work on it, but not politicians,” Buzek said.
With additional reporting by NTDTV.
