UN flag at half-mast to mourn Polish president (2)
09:02, April 13, 2010 
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The UN flag is hoisted at half-mast to mourn the deaths of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 87 other members of a Polish delegation who were killed in a plane crash on Saturday morning, at the UN Headquarters in New York, the United States, April 12, 2010. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
Conveying his heartfelt condolences at the tragic event, Ban said it must be a "very troubling, sad moment" for the Polish people.
"I wanted to speak with leadership of the Polish government at this time, but I have not been able to convey my personal condolences in person, but I am sure that I will have an opportunity of meeting a representative of Poland, the foreign minister, who will be in (Washington, D.C.)," he said.
Ban also said that he would discuss with the president of the UN General Assembly, Ali Treki, regarding a moment of silence to express condolences from member states.
On Saturday morning, a Polish government plane carrying a delegation for the 70th anniversary of the Katyn crime crashed at Smolensk, Russia, 18 kilometers from Katyn where WWII Polish officers were murdered 70 years ago.
All 96 passengers aboard the plane were killed, including President Kaczynski and his wife Maria.
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（Editor：梁军）
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http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90856/6948418.pdf