by Mark Silva
President Barack Obama, who planned to fly to Poland tonight to attend the funeral of former Polish President Lech Kaczynski, today cancelled that journey because of the plume of volcanic ash from Iceland that has closed airports throughout Europe.
"I spoke with acting President Komorowski, and told him that I regret that I will not be able to make it to Poland due to the volcanic ash that is disrupting air travel over Europe,'' Obama said in a statement issued by the White House this afternoon.
"Michelle and I continue to have the Polish people in our thoughts and prayers, and will support them in any way I can as they recover from this terrible tragedy,'' the statement by the president added.
The Polish president, his wife and several senior members of his administration were killed when the presidential aircraft crashed last weekend on its way to a memorial service in Russia for the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, when the Soviets executed about 22,000 Poles.
"President Kaczynski was a patriot and close friend and ally of the United States,'' Obama said today, "as were those who died alongside him, and the American people will never forget the lives they led."
Obama called the acting Polish president with his regrets about being unable to travel in the midst of a global bottleneck in international air travel because of the volcanic ash from Iceland that has drifted across Europe
The American ambassador to Poland will attend the funeral Sunday.
Comments
That is too bad but nothing can be done about it. My parents are stuck in Europe right now, as are some friends...
Posted by: CW | April 17, 2010 3:54 PM
And who was it this week who said that Poland is cursed? Consider that curse broken now.
Posted by: BDD | April 17, 2010 4:20 PM
I see nothing wrong in the president avoiding a potentially catastrophic situation by choosing not to fly. This is hardly an international snub, as no other world leaders are flying in with this ash issue.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | April 17, 2010 4:44 PM
So, where is MY comment posted 30 minutes ago? Oh, boo hoo, I guess I was critical....so I guess my comment will not be posted. But my vote will.
Posted by: Marion | April 17, 2010 6:40 PM
Why is that BDD? You're not going? That just puts the curse on us.
Posted by: Disgusted | April 17, 2010 7:11 PM
You all couldn't find another, more relevant story in which to post anti-Obama comments?
Posted by: CW | April 17, 2010 7:34 PM
While unfortunate, it is clearly understandable as to why Obama had to cancel. Like him or not, it is not feasible for the president to fly while the flying is dangerous. And it is just not the president's life at risk but everyone who would be on the plane.
Posted by: John D | April 17, 2010 9:08 PM
George Bush would have gone. He also would have worn an American flag pin. We can put a man on the moon but not one in Poland?
Posted by: Mike | April 17, 2010 9:39 PM
This is why I nicknamed him president panty waist. He's afraid of some minuscule particles of volcanic ash and dust while an ally leader is being laid to rest. Air Force One is specially designed to fly through any natural disaster and land safely.
Obama voters all, owe Poland and the Polish people an apology for electing this nimrod.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | April 17, 2010 10:30 PM
What a non-story.
There are enough Tim McVeigh type, man-made threats to worry about without tempting fate with hazardous flight conditions.
It is interesting how one little volcano can discombobulate human activity.....
A few more natural disasters, quakes, hurricanes, all piling on at once.....that could spoil your whole day.
Posted by: ornery | April 18, 2010 1:40 AM
I'm from Poland and completely understand why President Obama can't fly to Poland, as well as all of it's citizens. I also know AF1 isn't some super plane that can fly through volcanic ash - no plane can. Being stupid so you can prove you're not a pantsy waist proves you're stupid, and foolish
Posted by: RomanB | April 18, 2010 1:57 AM
"Air Force One is specially designed to fly through any natural disaster and land safely."
You've seen too many science-fiction movies.
I can't believe how stupid the Obama-haters are.
Posted by: jasperjava | April 18, 2010 2:39 AM
As a die hard REPUBLICAN...give me a break. Believe me..I cannot stand our current President and have no respect for him. However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Canada is not attending as well. Get a clue!!!! Seriously...if you want Obama to go and have Biden run the country...I wish you the best. Think about the big picture...the devil you know or the devil (total lonie) you don't know?
Posted by: CLS1212 | April 18, 2010 5:39 AM
Americans. You are realliy friends!!!!!
Pathetic excuse. There are still flights under military. Polish history comes full circle.
Krzysztof from Warsaw
Posted by: Kriss | April 18, 2010 6:07 AM
Posted by: Paulo | April 17, 2010 10:30 PM
You're an idiot. "miniscule"? Then why is Heathrow completely shut down? Even John D is defending the decisoin.
Posted by: Davey S | April 18, 2010 6:38 AM
I have an idea. There are bound to be many memorials right here. Why doesn't Obama come home for a day? Chicago has the largest population of Poles for any city in the world other than Warsaw. He could show solidarity with the Polish people without the dangerous situation that Europe is facing right now. Just a thought.
I also would like to ask many of the bloggers here, if it is convenient, to stop by St. Adelbert's cemetary in Niles. They have a beautiful statue dedicated to the Katyn Masacre. And the artist who designed it, Wojciech Seweryn, was also killed in that plane crash.
Posted by: Steve34 | April 18, 2010 6:44 AM
What bitter children!
Posted by: bill r. | April 18, 2010 6:54 AM
Hey, " Paulo ", go play with Captain Video. That's about your speed !! Hey, " Paulo " maybe Air Force One can hit Warp 3 and be there in minutes, without even using the cloaking device !! You, Republican-Libertarian-T.Baggers just can't get real, can you !!?
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | April 18, 2010 9:05 AM
"This is why I nicknamed him president panty waist. He's afraid of some minuscule particles of volcanic ash and dust while an ally leader is being laid to rest. Air Force One is specially designed to fly through any natural disaster and land safely..."
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. . .Whatever, I guess you watch too much movies. The movie 2012 is not based on a true story. It's Fiction, get it?
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". . .Obama voters all, owe Poland and the Polish people an apology for electing this nimrod.
Paulo"
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. . .Instead of complaining, If you were really concerned about attending the funeral, book a flight to Poland and attend the funeral. I'm sure they will welcome you in red carpet, NOT! You see? You are really just not very important to Poland. Nobody will be, even, there to greet you!
Posted by: HmongRodneyKing | April 18, 2010 9:36 AM
If it was date night, they would have flown through a category 5 hurricane.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | April 18, 2010 10:46 AM
"If it was date night, they would have flown through a category 5 hurricane.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo"
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I thought so. . .you didn't really care about the funeral. You were only using a tragedy to press for your demented viewpoints. Why don't you just state that you don't like the President. It's an easy two sentences; and, you don't have to go around beating the bush to get your point across.
Posted by: HmongRodneyKing | April 18, 2010 4:22 PM
President Obama spent the day golfing? I think it would have been more appropriate for him to:
1. Attend church and say a prayer for all the victims of one of the greatest tragedies in Polish history.
2. Stop at the Polish Embassy to share his thoughts and support in their condolence book as Vice President Biden and Secretary Clinton have already done.
3. Invite prominent Polish-Americans or Polish residents and dignitaries over to the White House.
4. Do anything not involving publicly playing games on a day of mourning for an allied country that recently lost the bulk of their leadership in a horrible accident.
5. At the very least, show the awareness to do any recreational activity indoors and privately (like a basketball game at the White House away from the media) or just spend a nice day with his family and kids.
Choosing to golf instead on such a day was surprising. Very surprising.
Posted by: Mr_Illinois | April 19, 2010 4:42 AM
Obama went to play golf.
Posted by: shesnutty | April 19, 2010 6:03 AM
Paula, get a clue.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0UBT/is_26_18/ai_n6280435/
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | April 19, 2010 7:57 AM
Can you imagine the uproar if BHO did fly to Poland while ten of thousands are grounded??
Cons, your propaganda is completely disingenuous and obvious.
It's a good decision to stay out of the way right now.
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | April 19, 2010 7:59 AM
It was insensitive and a slap in the face to our Polish allies for Obama to go golfing. Mr. Illinois has offered some appropriate alternatives to show the Polish people that we stand with them in their grief.
Posted by: Independent Thinker | April 19, 2010 9:43 AM
Thank you, Independent Thinker. Have a great day!
Posted by: Mr_Illinois | April 19, 2010 7:55 PM