2:38 pm ET
Jul 17, 2014
Obama: U.S. Will Assist Malaysia Airlines Crash Investigation
WASHINGTON–President Barack Obama on Thursday said the U.S. would assist in determining the cause of the crash of a Malaysia Airlines plane near the Russia-Ukraine border, telling Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko in a call that evidence at the crash site must “remain in place” until international investigators arrive.
Mr. Obama called the crash of a Malaysia Airlines ... plane near the Russia-Ukraine border an apparent tragedy. He added he had directed his national security team to stay in close contact with the Ukrainian government.
“The United States will offer any assistance we can to help determine what happened and why,” he said in brief remarks ahead of a planned speech on infrastructure in Delaware, noting officials were trying to determine if American citizens were on board.
“The world is watching reports of a downed passenger near the Russia-Ukraine border,” he said. “And it looks like it may be a terrible tragedy.”
Mr. Obama spoke with Mr. Poroshenko by phone later to offer “all possible assistance immediately,” the White House said.
Both leaders warned against tampering with the wreckage. “All evidence from the crash site must remain in place on the territory of Ukraine until international investigators are able to examine all aspects of the tragedy,” the White House said.
In another call, Mr. Obama offered condolences to Prime Minister Najib Razak and told the Malaysian leader the U.S. stood ready “to provide any assistance or support necessary,” the White House said
Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday also spoke with Mr. Poroshenko and offered U.S. assistance to determine the cause of crash.
Mr. Biden, speaking at a conference in Detroit, said Mr. Poroshenko had accepted the offer and the U.S. would send a team to Ukraine “to determine what happened.” Additional details, such as timing or the team’s makeup, weren’t immediately available.
Mr. Biden said the plane “apparently had been shot down — shot down, not an accident, blown out of the sky.” He said this “is a truly grave situation” and “there are many questions that need to be answered, and we’ll get those answers and then we’ll take the next steps accordingly.” [Biden's a creep; this is right down his alley.]
U.S. intelligence agencies believe the plane was hit by a surface-to-air missile.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Obama spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and reports of the downed jet were briefly discussed. A White House official said the president was also briefed about the crash. The president didn’t note the conversation or conflicting reports of how the plane crashed.
SOURCE - Wall Street Journal - here.
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COMMENT
How fortuitous for Biden.
Guess he's just one really, really lucky guy.
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