03:22USA: White House describes Dutch MH-17 report as "rigorous" and "credible"
U.S. State Department spokesperson Mark Toner described the recently released Malaysia Airlines flight MH-17 report by the Dutch Safety Board as "rigorous" and "credible," during a press conference at the White House on Tuesday.
Answering a question on the validity of the report, Toner commented that it is the "result of an independent, rigorous and transparent 15 month investigation," which was "completed in accordance with Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation." Toner added that the report was "composed of experts from not just the Netherlands, but Malaysia, Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and also the Russian Federation."
According to the White House spokesperson, the MH17 was "shot down by a BUK missile fired from separatist-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine," comments that reflect the final conclusion of Dutch Safety Board chair Tjibbe Joustra, who identifies the plane as being struck by a 9N314M BUK missile. Moscow has disputed these claims, arguing that the type of missile cannot be ascertained.
The MH-17 was en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam when it was downed in the skies over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014. All 298 people including 80 children and 15 crew members were killed.
03:22U.S. State Department spokesperson Mark Toner described the recently released Malaysia Airlines flight MH-17 report by the Dutch Safety Board as "rigorous" and "credible," during a press conference at the White House on Tuesday.
Answering a question on the validity of the report, Toner commented that it is the "result of an independent, rigorous and transparent 15 month investigation," which was "completed in accordance with Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation." Toner added that the report was "composed of experts from not just the Netherlands, but Malaysia, Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and also the Russian Federation."
According to the White House spokesperson, the MH17 was "shot down by a BUK missile fired from separatist-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine," comments that reflect the final conclusion of Dutch Safety Board chair Tjibbe Joustra, who identifies the plane as being struck by a 9N314M BUK missile. Moscow has disputed these claims, arguing that the type of missile cannot be ascertained.
The MH-17 was en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam when it was downed in the skies over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014. All 298 people including 80 children and 15 crew members were killed.