Human error cited in Poland crash

Russian investigators say jet carrying Polish president had no technical problems.

medvedev
Russia joined Poland in mourning Kaczynski's death, with President Medvedev paying his respects [AFP]

Investigators in Poland are expected to listen to cockpit conversations from the flight recorders, also known as “black boxes”, to see if there were “any suggestions made to the pilots” from other people aboard the aircraft.

President’s wife found

The Tu-154 crashed near Smolensk airport in western Russia on Saturday while trying to land in thick fog.

All aboard were killed, including Lech Kaczynski, Poland’s president, and dozens of Polish political, military and religious leaders.

in depth

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 Obituary: Lech Kaczynski
 World leaders mourn Poland’s loss
 Video: Nation in mourning
 Blog: Chill falls over Poland

Investigators of the crash identified Maria Kaczynska, the president’s wife, on Monday and said she would be returned home so she could be buried with her husband.

Sixty-year-old Kaczynski’s body was identified Saturday in Smolensk by his identical twin Jaroslaw, a former prime minister.

It was brought home to Poland on Sunday, driving tens of thousands of Poles to line the streets to pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin made its way to the presidential palace in the city centre.

Poland has moved to fill important positions in the state administration, with Bronislaw Komorowski, the acting president, saying he had replaced a number of important roles.

“The first task I am going to set for the new National Security Bureau chief is a review of the rules for travel of top military officials,” he said on Monday.

‘Back to business’

Jonah Hull, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Warsaw, said the market appeared relatively stable despite the weekend’s tragic events.

“Despite a sombre mood, Warsaw got back to business, an important sign of Poland’s ability to overcome the shock,” he said.

He also said Russian’s investigation into the crash may help improve relations between the two countries, some 70 years after the massacre at Katyn.

Vladmir Putin, Russia’s prime minister, has taken charge of the probe, promising an “objective and thorough” investigation.

Jonah Hull reports from Poland on the political and economic impact of the president’s death

Our correspondent said: “The “Warsaw memorial to the thousands of Poles killed by Soviet troops at Katyn and elsewhere is a symbol of decades of mutual suspicion and mistrust.

“If Russia delivers the investigation it has promised, and provided progress isn’t derailed by scaremongering conspiracy theories about the cause of the crash, then the way will be open for transformed relations between the two countries.”

Russia on Monday united with Poland in mourning Kaczynski’s death, with flags flying at half mast and entertainment programmes cancelled.

Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, signed a book of condolences at the Polish embassy and placed a wreath of red roses in front of a portrait of Kaczynski and his wife.

Poland has declared a week of national mourning following the disaster.

Komorowski said he would announce the date of a presidential poll after talks with all political parties.

Poland had been due to hold a presidential election in October, when Lech Kaczynski, a conservative, was expected to run against Komorowski, a liberal.

Source: Al Jazeera, News Agencies