Putin meets Kwasniewski, plus presser

(28 Sep 2004)

1. Wide of Russian President Vladimir Putin walking towards Polish President, Aleksander Kwasniewski, zoom in on both presidents, both taking seats near a small desk
2. Cutaway cameramen
3. SOUNDBITE (Polish) Aleksander Kwasniewski, Polish President:
"As I have already written in my messages to you, Mr. President, let me express our condolences, grief and solidarity for the tragedy in Beslan."
4. Cutaway journalists and officials
5. Wide shot ITAR-TASS Building exterior
6. Wide shot Press Conference
7. Close up microphones
8. SOUNDBITE (Polish) Alexander Kwasniewski, Polish President:
'' We spoke about Iraq and gave our own appraisal of the situation in this region, saying that we will take part, as before, in the stabilising mission there. We also discussed how the situation might change during the parliamentary elections in January.''
9. Cutaway audience
10. SOUNDBITE (Polish) Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski
'' We have received information that on the 21 September 2004 the Russian General Military Prosecutor's investigation into Katyn Massacre was finished. The documents can now be handed over to the Institute of National Remembrance after any secret information has been removed.''
11. Cutaway press
12. Wide shot conference
13. Cutaway press
14. Wide shot Kwasniewski leaving

STORYLINE:

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his Polish counterpart Aleksander Kwasniewski in the Kremlin on Tuesday and proposed a deal to help modernize Poland's fleet of Soviet-built combat jets.

Economic cooperation in the oil and gas sector and international issues such as countering terrorism were also on the agenda during Kwasniewski's two-day trip to Moscow.

Kwasniewski also offered Putin his condolences over the recent terrorist attacks in Russia, including the school hostage-taking in the southern city of Beslan.

The two leaders were also expected to discuss sensitive issues, including oil and gas contracts and an investigation into the killing of Poles by the Soviets during World War II, near the Katyn forest, in what is now the Ukraine.

Kwasniewski later declared that his meeting with Putin had been extremely successful.

He confirmed that the Russian Military Prosecutor had finished his investigation into the Katyn Massacre and was prepared to hand over the relevant documents as soon as any secret information had been removed.

Kwasniewski also said that Putin criticized the coverage during their talks. "Of course, decisions are made by the free Polish media, but ... this issue was brought up in our negotiations.''

During his two day visit, Kwasniewski also plans to speak to students at Moscow State University, and visit a factory built by Poles.

It is the second meeting between the two heads of states in 2004.

The first was in France in June at celebrations to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings in World War II.

The Polish president last visited Moscow in October 2001, and Putin was in Poland in 2002.

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