Commemoration brings countries closer

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin's joint commemoration is a breakthrough in the dispute between the two countries over the events at Katyn, writes Adam Michnik in the liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza: "Something significant has happened: the meeting between the prime ministers of Poland and Russia at the cemetery in Katyn puts an end to the 'lie of Katyn' that has poisoned Polish-Russian relations for years. ... Like [the first democratic prime minister of Poland] Tadeusz Mazowiecki I value the speech delivered by the Russian prime minister very highly. Vladimir Putin used the words 'victims of the inhumane crimes of totalitarianism', 'of crimes that nothing can justify'. He said that the sole logic behind totalitarianism was to inspire fear and appeal to people's lowest instincts, ... and force them into unconditional obedience. ... But today it must be said clearly: Putin's words inspire hope. The hope for truth and reconciliation."

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