Vladimir Putin Visits Ruins Of The World Trade Centre To Attract Attention To The September 11 Tragedy Once Again

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said visiting the site of the September 11 tragedy in New York was a "very emotional" experience for him. He made this statement in a live call-in show at the U.S. National Public Radio. Putin said he "could not fail to visit" that place because the tragedy shocked not only him but the whole of Russia. "I wanted not just to visit the place but also to pay tribute to the victims," the head of the Russian state said. The president pointed out that by visiting the wreckage of the World Trade Centre he wanted to "attract attention to that tragedy once again" so that it never be repeated. While staying at the site of the tragedy, Putin wrote near the Russian flag: "This great city and the great people of America are bound to win." NPR, set up 30 years ago, now unites 620 radio stations throughout the United States and has an audience of over 15 million listeners. NPR programmes are received via the Internet in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. They are relayed by Pentagon radio stations serving the U.S. Armed Forces. Putin is being interviewed by NPR senior host Robert Siegel, whose career in radio began 33 years ago and who is the holder of several prestigious professional awards.