Crash of the Polish Air Force One, 2014 Status Report
By Maria Szonert Binienda, J.D.
SCNDMSB2014SR

VII. Conclusion

The Russian Report is unprofessional, inadequate and fatally flawed. This document bears a resemblance to a political manifesto that serves as a Russian tool to humiliate Poland by presenting the top Polish General as a drunkard and the best Polish pilots as reckless novices. The Russian findings and conclusions have been proven wrong beyond a reasonable doubt. Objections to the Russian investigation into the Smolensk Crash are numerous and of fundamental nature. Facts presented herein demonstrate clear and convincing evidence of obstruction of justice in the one-sided and superficial investigation that violates basic norms of any airplane crash investigation, elementary standards of due process of law, and rights of the families of the victims. In response to such blatant violations of law, it is imperative to send a clear message to Russia that such practices are unacceptable.

The international community must not stand idle pretending that the truth about the Smolensk Crash is known. Supporting such illusion only invites more abuse of power and aggression. The Crimean crisis of 2014 is the result of the appeasing attitude of the world community in response to the gross violations of international norms in connection with the Russian aggression on Georgia in 2008 and Smolensk Crash of 2010. Turning a blind eye on the Smolensk calamity encourages Russia to carry out more bold actions against its neighbors.

The acute resemblance between Katyn of 1940 and Smolensk of 2010 must not be ignored either. The infamous Burdenko report on the Katyn Massacre from the Nuremberg Trial finds its modern equivalent in the Russian Report on the Smolensk Crash. The conspiracy of silence engulfs the open societies of 2010 with even greater grip than war-torn societies of 1943.

Among Smolensk victims is Wojciech Seweryn, a son of the Polish officer murdered in Katyn. Seweryn, who was a US citizen, dedicated his life to commemorate victims of the Katyn Massacre. Thanks to his determination and hard work, the Katyn Monument was erected in Chicago, Illinois. Seweryn’s story serves as a grim reminder that injustice not remedied accumulates and expands until it bursts into another calamity. Therefore, it is imperative to stand up against sham investigation and the conspiracy of silence that loom over the Smolensk Crash. An independent international commission of inquiry into the Smolensk Crash, possibly under the auspices of the UN Council on Human Rights, should be established to assure a fair and impartial investigation of the unprecedented calamity that claimed the lives of the top pro-Western leadership of Poland and resulted in far reaching consequences for the world peace and security.

[26] (Above) Wojciech Seweryn at Katyn Monument, Niles, Illinois. Source: A. Wójtowicz