Poland and Russia announce Smolensk monument

Plans for a monument at the site of the April 2010 Smolensk air disaster were announced in Moscow on Wednesday by the culture ministers of Poland and Russia.

“All indications are that the foundation stone will be laid on the anniversary,” the Polish minister revealed at a joint press conference. “Both sides have declared that they will be ready by 10 April, if this is required by the two presidents,” he said.

However, Zdrojewski noted that the precise design of the monument had yet to be finalised.

Russian Minister of Culture Alexander Avdeyev emphasised that there have been no disagreements as to the nature of the monument. “We very much want to create a good memorial that will correspond to the scale of the tragedy, pain and sorrow, as well as to our respect for the Polish nation and the victims of the disaster,” he said.

96 people died in the crash, including former president Lech Kaczynski and his entire delegation. The delegates were flying to Russia to take part in commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of the World War II Katyn Crime. Katyn saw 22,500 Polish citizens, chiefly reserve officers, executed on Stalin's orders in the spring of 1940.

Minister Zdrojewski is on a two-day visit to Russia, where he will also meeting the director of the State Hermitage Museum concerning loans between Poland and Russia. (nh)