Politics
Kaczynski air crash: Russia blames Polish pilot error
Reading Time: 5 minutes Russia has blamed the Smolensk air crash which killed the Polish president and nearly 100 other people in April on Polish pilot error.
Russia has blamed the Smolensk air crash which killed the Polish president and nearly 100 other people in April on Polish pilot error.
The Polish crew failed to heed bad weather warnings because they were afraid of displeasing President Lech Kaczynski, Russian investigators said.
The pilots were driven to take "unjustified risk", they found.
Poland’s interior minister accepted the findings but said Russian officials had also been at fault.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk cut short a holiday in response to the report and was returning to Poland for talks with the minister, Jerzy Miller.
In other reaction, Lech Kaczynski’s twin brother Jaroslaw condemned the Russian report as a "joke against Poland", saying the Russian investigators had failed to produce evidence.
Russia’s handling of the disaster had previously been widely commended.
President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others, spanning the country’s military and political elite, were killed when their airliner crashed while trying to land in heavy fog near the western Russian city of Smolensk. There were no survivors.
They had been on their way to a memorial ceremony for Poles massacred by Stalin’s secret police at Katyn during World War II.
‘Repeatedly informed’
As the state on whose territory the accident occurred, Russia was responsible for conducting the investigation and producing the official report on the crash.
Tatyana Anodina, head of the Inter-state Aviation Committee (Mak) in Moscow, told reporters in Moscow that the Soviet-made Tu-154 airliner had been in good condition when it took off from Warsaw en route to Smolensk’s Severny airport, and it suffered no engine or flight system failures.
Before impact, there was no fire, explosion or other damage in the air, she continued.
The disaster resulted directly, she said, from the crew’s failure to heed weather warnings and land at a different airport.
"During the flight, the crew were repeatedly informed of inadequate weather conditions at the destination airport," she said.
"Despite this, the crew of the Tu-154 did not take a decision to switch to a back-up airfield. This may be considered as the start of the extreme situation aboard the plane."
The Russian investigation found "substantial deficiencies" in the training given to Captain Arkadiusz Protasiuk and his co-pilot, Major Robert Grzywna, Ms Anodina said.
The two men had feared a "negative reaction" from President Kaczynski if they switched to the other airfield, according to the Russian investigator.
"The main passenger’s expected negative reaction… placed psychological pressure on crew members and influenced the decision to continue the landing," she said.
The jet’s flight recorder caught one of the crew saying "He’ll get mad", in an apparent reference to the Polish president’s determination not to alter his schedule.
‘Landing at any cost’
Poland’s air force commander, Gen Andrzej Blasik, added to the pressure by entering the flight deck, Ms Anodina noted.
"The presence of the Polish air force commander on the flight deck up to the aircraft’s impact with the ground put psychological pressure on the crew captain to decide on continuing descent in a situation of unjustified risk, dominated by the goal of making a landing at any cost," she said.
According to pathology tests, alcohol was found in the blood of Gen Blasik in a concentration of 0.6 grams per litre – just above the drink-driving limit for most EU states.
Investigators found that a top Polish foreign ministry official, Mariusz Kazana, had also entered the flight deck at one point.
At the news conference in Moscow, they played back the flight recorder tape of the pilots’ final minutes, including conversations with Russian air traffic controllers.
Just before the recording ends, an automatic recorded message in English from the plane’s Terrain Awareness and Warning System can be heard exhorting the crew to "pull up, pull up".
‘No proof’
"We are not disputing the criticism of the Mak towards the Polish side," Interior Minister Miller told reporters in Warsaw.
"We would have made the same criticisms, it’s obvious to us."
But he added that Russian air traffic controllers on the ground at the remote airport in Smolensk had also been at fault.
"In our opinion, neither the Polish nor the Russian side was prepared for the safe realisation of that flight," he said.
Polish MEP Pawel Zalewski told the BBC World Service that the Russian air traffic controllers should have closed Severny airport because of the bad weather.
In December, Mr Tusk described a draft of the Russian report as "unacceptable", saying some of its conclusions were unfounded.
Mak official Alexei Morozov said on Wednesday that the report had found no fault with the Russian air traffic controllers, who "gave no permission to land".
But he added that the report had been amended with regard to technical criticisms made by Polish investigators.
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who is a former Polish prime minister, said that the Russian report put "the entire blame on Polish pilots and Poland without any proof".
Dismissing the report’s suggestion that his brother might have put psychological pressure on the pilots to land the plane, he said: "My brother did not show suicidal tendencies."
In other reaction, Polish lawyer Rafal Rogalski, who represents relatives of some of the dead, rejected the Russian report as an "absolute scandal".
"The families want the truth… not the presentation of just one side without considering arguments which lie also on the Russian side," he said.
Your comments in reaction to the findings
I understand that two things took place: 1) The pilots have decided to begin the landing procedure when they should’ve aborted and gone for another airport. 2) Airport operators allowed the plane to land when they should’ve closed the landing belt. We should not argue whether it was Polish or Russian fault, because the common denominator is that both pilots and operators operated under pressure from their superiors (generals, in both cases). And that is the reason, in my opinion. The Mak report looks like it was supervised with a superior in mind too. Michael, Warsaw, Poland
As a foreigner living in Poland, I have heard all the news regarding the Smolensk disaster. I feel that the objective truth is sadly being forsaken with each side blaming the other. Unfortunately the final decision to land lies with the pilot and that is the bottom line here – "no conditions to land" means just that. Geoff, Lodz, Poland
To the powers in Poland: Don’t try to find a political implication in the investigation’s result. Tragedy isn’t a matter for different political games. Olga, Moscow, Russia
This has left no doubt that the pilot was at fault. On the other hand he was under pressure from President Kaczynski, who wanted to land to attend the ceremony to mark the Katyn anniversary, which was supposed to start a few hours after landing. It’s a hard case to judge. Marcin, Krakow, Poland
In my opinion, both sides are to blame. The case is very complex, but the Russian report is absolutely unreliable. There is no information about the technical aspects of the old airport where the crew was supposed to land and no information about the Russian air traffic controllers. There is also no evidence for the judgments the Russians have made about the Polish pilot and the crew. Monika, Warsaw, Poland
All these circumstancies fit the way Poland is governed in almost every field. Everything is decided at the last moment. It sometimes leads to complete confusion in many spheres. It’s good that this has been publicly spoken about at last. And it must have been done from outside the country for Polish people to be strongly shaken up. It’s an unheard of scandal, that’s what it is. Complete loss of face for the Polish political class, which must be replaced. Polish voters should be aware all of this, and they’ve got a chance to do something about it. Krzysztof Grygiel, Poland
This state of affairs has been caused by the Polish government, who from the outset decided to leave the investigation in the hands of the Russians. I was hoping that they would explain the causes of the disaster in a fair way. Shame. Luke Nowak, Warsaw, Poland
A new football club has earned a leading place in the UEFA Champions League groups and starred in the headlines of worldwide football news yesterday. The Football Club Sheriff Tiraspol claimed a win with the score 2-1 against Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. That made Sheriff Tiraspol the leader in Group D of the Champions League, including the football club in the groups of the most important European interclub competition for the first time ever.
International media outlets called it a miracle, a shock and a historic event, while strongly emphasizing the origin of the team and the existing political conflict between the two banks of the Dniester. “Football club from a pro-Russian separatist enclave in Moldova pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history,” claimed the news portals. “Sheriff crushed Real!” they said.
Moldovans made a big fuss out of it on social media, splitting into two groups: those who praised the team and the Republic of Moldova for making history and those who declared that the football club and their merits belong to Transnistria – a problematic breakaway region that claims to be a separate country.
Both groups are right and not right at the same time, as there is a bunch of ethical, political, social and practical matters that need to be considered.
Is it Moldova?
First of all, every Moldovan either from the right or left bank of Dniester (Transnistria) is free to identify himself with this achievement or not to do so, said Vitalie Spranceana, a sociologist, blogger, journalist and urban activist. According to him, boycotting the football club for being a separatist team is wrong.
At the same time, “it’s an illusion to think that territory matters when it comes to football clubs,” Spranceana claimed. “Big teams, the ones included in the Champions League, have long lost their connection both with the countries in which they operate, and with the cities in which they appeared and to which they linked their history. […] In the age of globalized commercial football, teams, including the so-called local ones, are nothing more than global traveling commercial circuses, incidentally linked to cities, but more closely linked to all sorts of dirty, semi-dirty and cleaner cash flows.”
What is more important in this case is the consistency, not so much of citizens, as of politicians from the government who have “no right to celebrate the success of separatism,” as they represent “the national interests, not the personal or collective pleasures of certain segments of the population,” believes the political expert Dionis Cenusa. The victory of FC Sheriff encourages Transnistrian separatism, which receives validation now, he also stated.
“I don’t know how it happens that the “proud Moldovans who chose democracy”, in their enthusiasm for Sheriff Tiraspol’s victory over Real Madrid, forget the need for total and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria!” declared the journalist Vitalie Ciobanu.
Nowadays, FC Sheriff Tiraspol has no other choice than to represent Moldova internationally. For many years, the team used the Moldovan Football Federation in order to be able to participate in championships, including international ones. That is because the region remains unrecognised by the international community. However, the club’s victory is presented as that of Transnistria within the region, without any reference to the Republic of Moldova, its separatist character being applied in this case especially.
Is it a victory?
In fact, FC Sheriff Tiraspol joining the Champions League is a huge image breakthrough for the Transnistrian region, as the journalist Madalin Necsutu claimed. It is the success of the Tiraspol Club oligarchic patrons. From the practical point of view, FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a sports entity that serves its own interests and the interests of its owners, being dependent on the money invested by Tiraspol (but not only) oligarchs.
Here comes the real dilemma: the Transnistrian team, which is generously funded by money received from corruption schemes and money laundering, is waging an unequal fight with the rest of the Moldovan football clubs, the journalist also declared. The Tiraspol team is about to raise 15.6 million euro for reaching the Champions League groups and the amounts increase depending on their future performance. According to Necsutu, these money will go directly on the account of the club, not to the Moldovan Football Federation, creating an even bigger gab between FC Sheriff and other football clubs from Moldova who have much more modest financial possibilities.
“I do not see anything useful for Moldovan football, not a single Moldovan player is part of FC Sheriff Tiraspol. I do not see anything beneficial for the Moldovan Football Federation or any national team.”
Is it only about football?
FC Sheriff Tiraspol, with a total estimated value of 12.8 million euros, is controlled by Victor Gusan and Ilya Kazmala, being part of Sheriff Holding – a company that controls the trade of wholesale, retail food, fuels and medicine by having monopolies on these markets in Transnistria. The holding carries out car trading activities, but also operates in the field of construction and real estate. Gusan’s people also hold all of the main leadership offices in the breakaway region, from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s seat or the Presidency.
The football club is supported by a holding alleged of smuggling, corruption, money laundering and organised crime. Moldovan media outlets published investigations about the signals regarding the Sheriff’s holding involvement in the vote mobilization and remuneration of citizens on the left bank of the Dniester who participated in the snap parliamentary elections this summer and who were eager to vote for the pro-Russian socialist-communist bloc.
Considering the above, there is a great probability that the Republic of Moldova will still be represented by a football club that is not identified as being Moldovan, being funded from obscure money, growing in power and promoting the Transnistrian conflict in the future as well.
Photo: unknown
Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, pay an official visit to Brussels, between September 27-28, being invited by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
Today, Prime Minister had a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Moldovan PM thanked the senior European official for the support of the institution in strengthening democratic processes, reforming the judiciary and state institutions, economic recovery and job creation, as well as increasing citizens’ welfare. Natalia Gavrilita expressed her confidence that the current visit laid the foundations for boosting relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, so that, in the next period, it would be possible to advance high-level dialogues on security, justice and energy. Officials also exchanged views on priorities for the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in December.
“The EU is open to continue to support the Republic of Moldova and the ambitious reform agenda it proposes. Moldova is an important and priority partner for us,” said Charles Michel.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita also met with Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, expressing her gratitude for the support received through the OMNIBUS macro-financial assistance program. The two officials discussed the need to advance the recovery of money from bank fraud, to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova, and to standardize the customs and taxes as one of the main conditions for deepening cooperation with the EU in this field.
Additionally, Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the Deep Free Trade Agreement, noting that the Government’s policies are aimed at developing an economic model aligned with the European economic model, focused on digitalization, energy efficiency and the green economy.
A common press release of the Moldovan Prime Minister with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, took place today, where the agenda of Moldova’s reforms and the main priorities to focus on in the coming months were presented: judiciary reform; fighting COVID-19 pandemic; promoting economic recovery and conditions for growth and job creation; strengthening state institutions and resilience of the country.
“I am here to relaunch the dialogue between my country and the European Union. Our partnership is strong, but I believe there is room for even deeper cooperation and stronger political, economic and sectoral ties. I am convinced that this partnership is the key to the prosperity of our country and I hope that we will continue to strengthen cooperation.”
The Moldovan delegation met Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Tomorrow, there are scheduled common meetings with Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Prime Minister will also attend a public event, along with Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
Photo: gov.md
Politics
Promo-LEX about Maia Sandu’s UN speech: The president must insist on appointing a rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Transnistria
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, pays an official visit to New York, USA, between September 21-22. There, she participates in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release of the President’s Office, the official will deliver a speech at the tribune of the United Nations.
In this context, the Promo-LEX Association suggested the president to request the appointment of a special rapporteur in order to monitor the situation of human rights in the Transnistrian region. According to Promo-LEX, the responsibility for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region arises as a result of the Russian Federation’s military, economic and political control over the Tiraspol regime.
“We consider it imperative to insist on the observance of the international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the armed forces and ammunition from the territory of the country,” the representatives of Promo-LEX stated. They consider the speech before the UN an opportunity “to demand the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Russian Federation with reference to this territory which is in its full control.”
“It is important to remember about the numerous cases of murder, torture, ill-treatment, forced enlistment in illegal military structures, the application of pseudo-justice in the Transnistrian region, all carried out under the tacit agreement of the Russian Federation. These findings stem from dozens of rulings and decisions issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in the region.”
The association representatives expressed their hope that the president of the country would give priority to issues related to the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region and would call on relevant international actors to contribute to guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms throughout Moldova.
They asked Maia Sandu to insist on the observance of the obligation to evacuate the ammunition and the military units of the Russian Federation from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to publicly support the need for the Russian Federation to implement the ECtHR rulings on human rights violations in the Transnistrian region, and to request the appointment of an UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur to monitor the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
**
The Promo-LEX Association concluded that 14 out of 25 actions planned within the National Action Plan for the years 2018–2022 concerning respecting human rights in Transnistria were not carried out by the responsible authorities.
The association expressed its concern and mentioned that there are a large number of delays in the planned results. “There is a lack of communication and coordination between the designated institutions, which do not yet have a common vision of interaction for the implementation of the plan.”
Promo-LEX requested the Government of the Republic of Moldova to re-assess the reported activities and to take urgent measures, “which would exclude superficial implementation of future activities and increase the level of accountability of the authorities.”
Photo: peacekeeping.un.org
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