News-Info-Alerts

Re: Australian POW Memorial to be Dedicated

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: July 19, 2003

"Project committee quashes idea to invite President Bush
By Catherine Best

HOPES of attracting United States President George W. Bush to Ballarat to open the ex-prisoner of war memorial have been dashed.

The committee behind the project rejected the idea yesterday, saying it would be inappropriate to invite the US leader to head the opening.

President Bush has been ditched in favour of Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who the committee announced has been chosen to carry out the honours.

The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Committee said it was disappointed Ballarat Mayor David Vendy had raised the idea of asking Mr Bush without first consulting with the committee.

In a written statement issued to The Courier yesterday the committee said "at no time did the committee ever discuss or consider the opening of the memorial by anyone other than an Australian.

"We believe President Bush would be extremely embarrassed at the mere suggestion that he dedicate an Australian Ex-Prisoner of War Memorial."

Committee project manager Les Kennedy said he had received a letter from Cr Vendy about President Bush opening the memorial, which would be discussed at the committee's next meeting on Monday night.

But the answer to Cr Vendy's request would be a decisive no.

"It's an Australian memorial and the prisoners of war, I'd say, would be offended if it was dedicated by anyone other than an Australian," Mr Kennedy said.

He said the committee was waiting for Mr Howard to accept their invitation.

A date for the opening of the $2 million memorial, situated at the Botanic Gardens, has yet to be set, but is likely to be in November.

©Ballarat Courier, AU"