I wish to comment on the present relationship between Turkey and Australian/New Zealand after the comments made recently by the Tutkish president Mr Erdogen.
As dominions of the British Empire, the Australian and New Zealand armies were sent to fight in the Great War in Europe with soldiers deployed in Gallipoli to set up an eastern front against German forces.
The Ottoman Empire was allied to Germany and ANZAC troops were assigned to fight Turkish troops in Gallipoli. Many ANZAC troops died before a strategic withdrawal was mounted.
Both sides fought gallantly in defence of their homeland. Australia was later embraced by iconic Turkish statesman Kemal Ataturk.
Poet Sir Henry Newbolt wrote in that era that we "honour while we strike him down the foe who comes with fearless eyes." There was gallantry on both the ANZAC and Turkish sides.
Since that time, many Turkish immigrants have come to Australia and become our brothers and sisters. They have called our soldiers their "brothers in blood".
Many Australians who came to Gallipoli on ANZAC Day have been greeted in friendly ways by Turkish people. It is hope that Australians also remembered the Turks who died.
If the Islamic State (IS) had taken Syria and Iraq as part of their so-called caliphate, they may have planned to take parts of Turkey as well. I am sure that Australia would have supported our "brothers in blood".
Courage, honour and friendship are stronger than ideology. We have much to learn from the Turkish people. What would happen if the Japanese people wanted to erect a shrine at Cowra, Darwin or Sydney Harbour? These are sites of Japanese soldiers who died.
In Papua New Guinea, the Remembrance Day is devoted to remembering all those who died in the Second War from Papua New Guinea, Australia, America and Japan. It came as a shock the first time I heard the message.
Both sides fought gallantly in defence of their homeland. Australia was later embraced by iconic Turkish statesman Kemal Ataturk.
Poet Sir Henry Newbolt wrote in that era that we "honour while we strike him down the foe who comes with fearless eyes." There was gallantry on both the ANZAC and Turkish sides.
Since that time, many Turkish immigrants have come to Australia and become our brothers and sisters. They have called our soldiers their "brothers in blood".
Many Australians who came to Gallipoli on ANZAC Day have been greeted in friendly ways by Turkish people. It is hope that Australians also remembered the Turks who died.
If the Islamic State (IS) had taken Syria and Iraq as part of their so-called caliphate, they may have planned to take parts of Turkey as well. I am sure that Australia would have supported our "brothers in blood".
Courage, honour and friendship are stronger than ideology. We have much to learn from the Turkish people. What would happen if the Japanese people wanted to erect a shrine at Cowra, Darwin or Sydney Harbour? These are sites of Japanese soldiers who died.
In Papua New Guinea, the Remembrance Day is devoted to remembering all those who died in the Second War from Papua New Guinea, Australia, America and Japan. It came as a shock the first time I heard the message.
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