BRICS calls for “objective probe” into MH17 crash
July 19, 2014, 4:58 am

Thomas Greminger (C), Swiss ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and chairman of the OSCE Permanent Council during Switzerland Chairmanship, speaks to journalists at Vienna’s OSCE headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on July 18, 2014. The OSCE on Friday called for an independent international investigation to the Malaysia Airlines plane crash in eastern Ukraine [Xinhua]

“I was shocked,” said Chinese President Xi Jinping at a joint press conference with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of the Thursday tragedy, which killed all the 298 people aboard the ill-fated Flight MH17.

The Boeing 777-200 airliner was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it suddenly vanished from radar. The Ukrainian government and pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine have traded charges of shooting down the plane.

The Chinese president conveyed his deep condolences on the massive loss of lives and sympathies with the families of the victims.

“I hope that a fair and objective probe will be carried out to establish the truth as early as possible,” said Xi.

In a separate statement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “he hopes the circumstances of the disaster are established quickly”.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has also urged a speedy investigation into the terrible tragedy.

“First, it should be established what really happened. The Brazilian government will give no assessments until the circumstances are clear,” said Rousseff.

Rousseff was echoed by South African President Jacob Zuma, who stressed on a transparent probe into the incident.

“We also extend our sympathies to the Government and the people of Malaysia, as well as all countries that have lost their citizens in the tragic crash. South Africa calls for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation to determine the cause of the incident,” said Zuma.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador Samantha Power told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday that Washington cannot rule out that Russia aided in the launch of the surface-to-air missile that shot down the plane.

A 25-member team of international observers from the OSCE has been to the crash site, but details are yet to emerge on the formation of the probe body.

TBP and Agencies