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World Leaders Match Anger With Calls for Inquiry Into Ukraine Plane Crash World Leaders Match Anger With Calls for Inquiry Into Ukraine Plane Crash
(about 5 hours later)
LONDON — Angered and dismayed by the downing of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine, European leaders cast about for some form of joint response to the tragedy on Friday, but beyond calls for an international inquiry they showed few signs of immediately following the United States in imposing harsher sanctions on Russia. LONDON — Angered and dismayed by the downing of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine, European leaders cast about for some form of joint response to the tragedy on Friday. But beyond calls for an international inquiry, they showed few signs of immediately following the United States in imposing harsher sanctions on Russia.
With sentiments ranging from shock to fury, political leaders across the globe urged a rapid, independent and international effort to investigate the crash, which killed 298 people and provoked accusations and counteraccusations about who brought the plane down.With sentiments ranging from shock to fury, political leaders across the globe urged a rapid, independent and international effort to investigate the crash, which killed 298 people and provoked accusations and counteraccusations about who brought the plane down.
Speaking to reporters in Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, which has close economic ties with Moscow, said there were “many indications” that the Malaysian airliner “was shot down.” Both the Ukrainian government and its pro-Moscow separatist foes in eastern Ukraine, where the plane crashed, has blamed the other for bringing it down. United States and Ukrainian officials say the jetliner was brought down by a Russian-made antiaircraft missile. Speaking to reporters in Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, which has close economic ties with Moscow, said there were “many indications” that the Malaysian airliner “was shot down.” The Ukrainian government and its pro-Moscow separatist foes in eastern Ukraine, where the plane crashed, have blamed each other for bringing it down. American and Ukrainian officials say the jetliner was brought down by a Russian-made antiaircraft missile.
But Ms. Merkel declined to answer repeated questions about whether she would support tougher sanctions against President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, beyond the more limited measures the European Union has already agreed. The United States imposed a new and tougher round of sanctions on Russian companies and business executives on Wednesday before the downing of the airliner on Thursday. But Ms. Merkel declined to answer repeated questions about whether she would support tougher sanctions against President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, beyond the more limited measures to which the European Union has already agreed. The United States imposed a new and tougher round of sanctions on Russian companies and business executives on Wednesday before the downing of the airliner on Thursday.
Rather, Ms. Merkel suggested that the best solution lay in ending the conflict.Rather, Ms. Merkel suggested that the best solution lay in ending the conflict.
“Russia’s responsibility is clear,” the chancellor said on Friday, calling on Mr. Putin and his government to do their part “to find ways to reach a permanent cease-fire.” “Russia’s responsibility is clear,” she said on Friday, calling on Mr. Putin and his government to do their part “to find ways to reach a permanent cease-fire.”
“It will be a difficult path, but there is no alternative to a political solution,” the chancellor told reporters.“It will be a difficult path, but there is no alternative to a political solution,” the chancellor told reporters.
At her annual summer news conference with the Berlin press corps, Ms. Merkel indirectly suggested that France should halt its military exports to Russia, noting that Germany had stopped its military cooperation with Russia this year. At her annual summer news conference with the Berlin press corps, Ms. Merkel suggested indirectly that France should halt its military exports to Russia, noting that Germany had stopped its military cooperation with Russia this year.
“We have not introduced any export limits to specific sectors on the European side, so I cannot say anything at this time,” Ms. Merkel told reporters in Berlin. “The legal situation allows for such exports.” “We have not introduced any export limits to specific sectors on the European side, so I cannot say anything at this time,” she told reporters in Berlin. “The legal situation allows for such exports.”
The chancellor then went on to point out that Germany had put “on ice” a joint exercise with Russia. “That was our response to the situation at the moment,” Ms. Merkel said. Ms. Merkel went on to point out that Germany had put “on ice” a joint exercise with Russia. “That was our response to the situation at the moment,” she said.
European officials in Brussels said it was possible that the European Union would bring forward a deadline to list additional Russian oligarchs and companies as part of a toughened European sanctions policy announced this week. Officials in Brussels said it was possible that the European Union would set a deadline to list additional Russian oligarchs and companies as part of a toughened European sanctions policy announced this week.
But the bloc was likely to remain deeply divided between those member states ready to confront Moscow and those that are reluctant, the officials said.But the bloc was likely to remain deeply divided between those member states ready to confront Moscow and those that are reluctant, the officials said.
The formal deadline for the European listings is the end of this month, but they might now be published on Tuesday or shortly afterward. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under the bloc’s protocols, said it was also possible that European leaders would hold a previously unscheduled summit next week.The formal deadline for the European listings is the end of this month, but they might now be published on Tuesday or shortly afterward. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under the bloc’s protocols, said it was also possible that European leaders would hold a previously unscheduled summit next week.
At that gathering, they might discuss questions about whether France should freeze weapons sales to Russia and whether to send military aid to Ukraine. In the meantime, investigators will seek to determine whether the jetliner was struck by a Russian-supplied surface-to-air missile, as Ukrainian officials have insisted.At that gathering, they might discuss questions about whether France should freeze weapons sales to Russia and whether to send military aid to Ukraine. In the meantime, investigators will seek to determine whether the jetliner was struck by a Russian-supplied surface-to-air missile, as Ukrainian officials have insisted.
The Europeans would require a high burden of proof about Russian complicity before taking measures that would strike at the inner circle of Mr. Putin, the officials said, particularly those involved in the Russian energy supplies on which many European economies depend. The Europeans would require a high burden of proof about Russian complicity before taking measures that would strike at Mr. Putin’s inner circle, the officials said, particularly those involved in the Russian energy supplies on which many European economies depend.
For his part, Mr. Putin called on Friday for a “thorough and unbiased” inquiry into the disaster.For his part, Mr. Putin called on Friday for a “thorough and unbiased” inquiry into the disaster.
He also spoke with the Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, who broke off a vacation after learning that a majority of those who died in the crash were Dutch. The Netherlands has declared a national day of mourning for the 154 Dutch citizens reported killed.He also spoke with the Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, who broke off a vacation after learning that a majority of those who died in the crash were Dutch. The Netherlands has declared a national day of mourning for the 154 Dutch citizens reported killed.
In a telephone conversation with Mr. Rutte, the Russian leader “underlined that the tragedy yet again highlighted the need for the swiftest peaceful solution to the acute crisis in Ukraine,” the Kremlin said in a statement, echoing earlier Russian comments about the bloody conflict in eastern Ukraine, during which pro-Moscow separatists have recently claimed to have shot down Ukrainianmilitary transport planes. In a telephone conversation with Mr. Rutte, the Russian leader “underlined that the tragedy yet again highlighted the need for the swiftest peaceful solution to the acute crisis in Ukraine,” the Kremlin said in a statement, echoing earlier Russian comments about the bloody conflict in eastern Ukraine, during which pro-Moscow separatists have recently claimed to have shot down Ukrainian military transport planes.
Later on Friday, Mr. Putin attended a religious ceremony at the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, a monastery north of Moscow, as previously scheduled. He spoke briefly about the historical importance of the Russian orthodox faith, but made no reference to current events in Ukraine Later on Friday, Mr. Putin attended a religious ceremony at the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, a monastery north of Moscow, as scheduled. He spoke briefly about the historical importance of the Russian Orthodox faith, but made no reference to current events in Ukraine.
In Britain, Prime Minister David Cameron summoned a meeting of the high-level crisis response committee known as Cobra, which debates matters of national security. Nine Britons were reported to be among the dead from Flight 17. The committee takes its name from the location of its meetings in Cabinet Office Briefing Room A.In Britain, Prime Minister David Cameron summoned a meeting of the high-level crisis response committee known as Cobra, which debates matters of national security. Nine Britons were reported to be among the dead from Flight 17. The committee takes its name from the location of its meetings in Cabinet Office Briefing Room A.
“If, as seems possible, this was brought down, then those responsible must be brought to account, and we must lose no time in doing that,” Mr. Cameron said after the meeting. “It is an absolutely shocking incident and cannot be allowed to stand.”“If, as seems possible, this was brought down, then those responsible must be brought to account, and we must lose no time in doing that,” Mr. Cameron said after the meeting. “It is an absolutely shocking incident and cannot be allowed to stand.”
The harshest public criticism came from Prime Minister Tony Abbott of Australia, who said that the Russian response to the crash was “deeply, deeply unsatisfactory.” The dead were reported to have included 28 Australians. The Russian ambassador to Australia had met earlier with the foreign minister, Julie Bishop.The harshest public criticism came from Prime Minister Tony Abbott of Australia, who said that the Russian response to the crash was “deeply, deeply unsatisfactory.” The dead were reported to have included 28 Australians. The Russian ambassador to Australia had met earlier with the foreign minister, Julie Bishop.
“The initial response of the Russian ambassador was to blame Ukraine for this, and I have to say that is deeply, deeply unsatisfactory,” Mr. Abbott said, adding that “the idea that Russia can somehow say that none of this has anything to do with them because it happened in Ukrainian airspace frankly does not stand up to any serious scrutiny.”“The initial response of the Russian ambassador was to blame Ukraine for this, and I have to say that is deeply, deeply unsatisfactory,” Mr. Abbott said, adding that “the idea that Russia can somehow say that none of this has anything to do with them because it happened in Ukrainian airspace frankly does not stand up to any serious scrutiny.”
“This looks less like an accident than a crime,” he said, “and if so the perpetrators must be brought to justice.” “This looks less like an accident than a crime,” he said, “and if so, the perpetrators must be brought to justice.”
In France, officials said they were still trying to determine whether any French citizens were on the flight. Initially, the foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, said there were at least four French passengers on the plane, but then said it was unclear whether French citizens had been on board. In France, officials said they were still trying to determine whether any French citizens had been on the flight. Initially, the foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, said there had been at least four French passengers, but then said it was unclear.
Britain has submitted a United Nations resolution calling for an international investigation into the crash. A proposal was expected to be discussed at a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York on Friday. The British call for an international inquiry has been echoed by the White House, the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, and the NATO secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Britain has submitted a United Nations resolution calling for an international investigation into the crash. A proposal was expected to be discussed at a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York on Friday. The British call for an international inquiry has been echoed by the White House; the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon; and the NATO secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
“It is important that a full international investigation should be launched immediately, without any hindrance, to establish the facts and that those who may be responsible are swiftly brought to justice,” Mr. Rasmussen said in a statement.“It is important that a full international investigation should be launched immediately, without any hindrance, to establish the facts and that those who may be responsible are swiftly brought to justice,” Mr. Rasmussen said in a statement.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said it had conducted two videoconferences with pro-Russian separatist groups, which had agreed to secure the site of the crash, provide safe access for rescue teams, national and international investigators, and cooperate with the Ukrainian authorities. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said it had conducted two videoconferences with pro-Russian separatist groups, which had agreed to secure the site of the crash; to provide safe access for rescue teams and for national and international investigators; and to cooperate with the Ukrainian authorities.
In Eastern Europe, which has watched Russia’s maneuvers in Ukraine with growing alarm, there were calls to bring the perpetrators of the crash to justice. “Unspeakable horror” for the passengers “of downed flight #MH17,” Poland’s foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, wrote on Twitter. “Condolences to families, justice for perpetrators and those who enabled them.”In Eastern Europe, which has watched Russia’s maneuvers in Ukraine with growing alarm, there were calls to bring the perpetrators of the crash to justice. “Unspeakable horror” for the passengers “of downed flight #MH17,” Poland’s foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, wrote on Twitter. “Condolences to families, justice for perpetrators and those who enabled them.”
In a barely veiled criticism of Russia and the pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine, he told reporters in Warsaw, “This is how delivering advanced weapons to bandits ends.”In a barely veiled criticism of Russia and the pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine, he told reporters in Warsaw, “This is how delivering advanced weapons to bandits ends.”