Year after Polish political elite died in a plane crash in Russia, the two are arguing over a memorial plaque and where to bury the survivors

A military band performed the Polish national anthem at Warsaw's historic Powazki Cemetery as Poland commemorated the death, one year ago, of President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others in a plane crash in Russia.

Bronislaw Komorowski, who succeeded Kaczynski as Polish president, spoke at the Powazki commemoration.

"A whole year has passed since the time when the whole world collapsed for so many of us, for so many who are gathered at the Powazki Cemetery," he said. "Because a year has passed since the catastrophe at the Smolensk airport, where 96 of our countrymen, including President Lech Kaczynski, died on their way to the ceremonies in Katyn."

The plane crash shattered Poland's political elite, killing not only Kaczynski but dozens of top-ranking civilian and military officials from the Polish leadership.

Since then, the tragedy has also divided Polish society, as Kaczynski's conservative nationalism has given way to a more pragmatic stance on contentious issues like Warsaw's relations with the European Union and Russia.

Today's commemorations were a reminder of the fractious state of Polish politics. Many Poles avoided official ceremonies, preferring instead to gather at the presidential palace, where supporters of Kaczynski have made monthly pilgrimages since the crash.

A siren sounded as Poles gathered outside the palace held up Polish flags and posters bearing Kaczynski's image.

Kaczynski's twin brother, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, boycotted official events in favor of the gathering at the presidential palace. The late president's daughter, Marta -- whose mother, Maria, also died in the crash -- attended the unofficial gathering as well.

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[link to www.rferl.org]

Last Edited by four winds on 04/10/2011 08:06 PM