scotsbarszcz 3

A TIME FOR UNITY

As Polish people at home and abroad struggled to come to terms with the tragedy which claimed the lives of the President, his wife and some of the country’s most important decision-makers, Consul General Tomasz Trafas told the congregation of a special mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh: “We will all have to unite now not only to pay tribute to those who lost their lives but also to plan for future of our country.” Mr Trafas, who is thought to

have lost personal friends in the plane crash, told Scotsbarszcz: “I would like to express my great sympathy and sorrow to the families and friends of the Polish president and all of those who died with him today in the tragic accident in Smolensk. “This is of course a great loss

and a huge shock for our country and the Polish political elite. The head of the Polish State and his wife together with other government officials lost their

lives while performing their duties. “This tragedy has of course

even stronger meaning as the Polish delegation was going to pay tribute to all those murdered 70 years ago in the Katyn massacre, which is a very strong reminder of the losses that Poland has experienced through the centuries.” Before the mass, a message

was read out on behalf of Cardinal Keith O’Brien, expressing his sorrow and sympathy to the Polish people in their loss. Scotland's First Minister,

Alex, Salmond said: “"I extend my heartfelt condolences to Poland's government and the people of Poland at this very

difficult time. There is a close and enduring connection between Scotland and Poland stretching back many centuries with a large number of Poles making a huge contribution to Scotland's society, and I send them my deepest sympathy for this awful accident." Lord Foulkes MSP, a

member of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Poland added: “It’s a terrible tragedy for

Poland and people across politics in Scotland are united in sending their sympathies to the Polish community living here in Scotland. “Our thoughts are of course

with the families with all those killed in the tragedy.”

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