Obama: Government Trying To Determine Whether Americans Were On Board Malaysian Flight

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

TOM KLUDT – JULY 17, 2014, 2:18 PM EDT

President Obama opened his pre-scheduled speech in Wilmington, Del. on Thursday by addressing the downed Malaysian passenger plane, telling those in attendance that his administration is trying to determine how many Americans were on board.

"Before I begin, obviously the world is watching reports of a downed passenger jet near the Russia-Ukraine border and it looks like it may be a terrible tragedy," Obama said.

"Right now, we're working to determine whether there were American citizens on board. That is our first priority, and I've directed my national security team to stay in close contact with the Ukrainian government. The United States will offer any assistance we can to help determine what happened and why. And as a country, our thoughts and prayers are with all the families of the passengers, wherever they call home."


State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said earlier in the day that she couldn't yet confirm whether there were American passengers on the flight, which was reportedly shot down in eastern Ukraine.

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Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obama-malaysian-passenger-flight-crash-americans-on-board

[bluestateguy]

1. As any other country would do too

Try to find out if any of their citizens were on board.

[TexasTowelie]

2. Yahoo is reporting 23 Americans on board.

http://news.yahoo.com/maylasian-plane-crash-ukraine-russia-153426322.html

A Malaysia Airlines passenger plane was reportedly shot down near the Ukraine-Russia border Thursday killing all 295 people on board, an adviser to Ukraine's interior ministry said.

Both government officials and pro-Russia separatists fighting in the region denied responsibility.

An aide quoted by Interfax said the total number of dead in the crash was more than 300 and includes 23 U.S. citizens, while an Associated Press reporter at the scene reported seeing at least 22 bodies.

In brief comments made in Delaware Thursday afternoon, President Obama said the White House was aware of reports of American fatalities and was working to determine whether there were U.S. citizens on board flight MH17.

[DonViejo]

3. Here's the AP report...

22 Bodies Counted At Ukraine Wreckage Site

GRABOVO, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine said passenger plane carrying 295 people was shot down Thursday as it flew over the country, and both the government and the pro-Russia separatists fighting in the region denied any responsibility for downing the plane.

As plumes of black smoke rose up near a rebel-held village of Grabovo in eastern Ukraine, an Associated Press journalist counted at least 22 bodies at the crash site 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Russian border.

The plane appeared to have broken up before impact and the burning wreckage — including body parts and the belongings of passengers — was scattered over a wide area

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/22-bodies-dis

covered-at-ukraine-wreckage-site

[ColesCountyDem]

4. NOT good!

I think the rubber's going to meet the road sooner, rather than later.

[FarPoint]

5. My nephew Brian was suppose to be on that flight.

It appears he took a direct flight via Delta to San Francisco instead ...all at the last minute. He always leaves Amsterdam and goes into Malaysia then onto San Francisco.He changed his mind at last minute...He's still in the air. The only validation I have is thru Flight Aware website.. Check per pilots license. His wife did that part...She has yet to hear from him and is waiting at airport for Delta flight to land soon.

[joshcryer]

6. Best wishes!

Glad he's OK.

[FarPoint]

8. Thank you...

Still waiting..........

[geek tragedy]

7. *hugs* hope he lets everyone know when he lands nt

[OKNancy]

9. Oh my gosh.... I sure hope he is safe.

please post when you hear back!

[red dog 1]

10. +1

[cbdo2007]

12. Yikes! Hope he is ok!!

[uppityperson]

13. Have you heard yet? how scary and sad

[FarPoint]

15. Nausea was creeping in...

The anxiety was high...

[FarPoint]

14. Brian is HOME SAFE. in San Francisco!

He feels freaked out....amazed and blessed.He almost was American number 11. For some strange, impatient moment.. He changed flights to a direct flight.. We still have our Brian.

[geek tragedy]

16. thank goodness! nt

[uppityperson]

17. !

[FarPoint]

18. Thank you for your presence and support.

It was a powerless waiting event.

[red dog 1]

11. Several news sites, including WaPo are reporting 23 Americans were on board