PUTRAJAYA: MALAYSIA last night secured a major breakthrough by reaching an agreement with Ukrainian rebels to hand over the two black boxes from the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
The agreement also included transporting the remains of the victims by train from the rebel-controlled town of Torez in eastern Ukraine to the government-controlled city of Kharkiv.
In making the announcement at Seri Perdana here last night, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the black boxes were expected to be handed over to Malaysian representatives at 2am (9pm Ukraine time).
“The remains of 282 people, currently in Torez, will be moved by train to Kharkiv, where they will be handed over to representatives from the Netherlands. The train will depart this evening (Ukraine time) and be accompanied by six Malaysian members of the recovery team.
“The remains will then be flown to Amsterdam onboard a Dutch
C-130 Hercules together with the Malaysian team,” he said, adding that after forensic examination, the remains of Malaysian citizens would be flown home.
Najib, whose announcement was broadcast live last night, said the independent investigators would be guaranteed safe access to the crash site to begin a full investigation.
“Earlier this evening, I spoke to Alexander Borodai, who is in command of the region where the tragedy occurred,” he said, adding that they had agreed on the aforementioned terms.
He said the agreement was made possible because of contacts that had been made behind the scenes.
“Under difficult and fluid circumstances, we have been discussing the problems that had occupied us all: securing vital evidence from the aircraft, launching an independent investigation, and above all, recovering the remains of those who had lost their lives.
“Malaysia established a basis of an agreement to do just that.”
Najib stressed that although an agreement had been reached, there remained a lot “work to be done”.
“There is still work to be done, work which relies on the continued communication in good faith. Mr (Alexander) Borodei and his people have so far given their cooperation.
“I ask that all parties continue to work together so that this agreement is honoured; that the remains of our people are returned, that the black boxes are handed over and the international team granted full access to the site.
“Only then, the investigation into the tragedy of MH17 truly begins; only then the victims can be accorded the respect they deserve.”
Najib said Malaysia needed to know what caused the plane to crash and who was responsible for it, so that justice could be carried out.
He said in recent days, there were times he wanted to give greater voice to the anger and grief that Malaysians felt.
“And that I feel. But sometimes, we must work quietly in the service for a better outcome.
“I understand that for the families, nothing can undo this damage. The lives taken cannot be given back; the dignity lost cannot be regained.
“My heart reaches out to those whose loved ones were lost on MH17. We hope and pray the agreement reached tonight helps them bring a clear step towards closure.”
AFP reported that a train carrying the remains had left the Torez railway station early this morning (Malaysian time).
Ukrainian officials said the refrigerated wagons carrying some 280 bodies would head for Kharkiv.