Czech government to meet over day of national mourning

The Czech government will meet on Tuesday to discuss the details of a day of national mourning in honour of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and other Polish officials killed in Saturday’s plane crash. A spokesman for the Czech Foreign Ministry said the government is likely to agree that the day of mourning should coincide with day of Mr Kaczynski’s funeral; Czech national flags on official buildings will be drawn half-mast, and a minute of silence will be held at noon. Also, casinos and gambling bars will close for the day. The government will also suggest that organizers consider postponing any public events.

Czech President Václav Klaus agreed with the government on Sunday that a day of national mourning should be held in the Czech Republic. Similar measures were adopted in 2005 to honour the victims of the tsunami in south-east Asia, and the late Pope John Paul II.

Author: Jan Richter