In the present
political climate, it may not be wise for Australians to attend the dawn
service at Gallipoli to remember the sacrifice of Australian and Turkish boys
in World War 1.
Given the comments by the President of Turkey on drunken Australians
and anti-Moslem sentiments, there may be Turkish people who respond with
violence.
As our great grand-fathers found out on ANZAC Cove, Australia is far
away. That applies to Australians in Gallipoli today too.
Australians have always had respect for Turkish people. Our road was
smoothed by iconic statesman Kemal Ataturk who welcomed Australians as brothers
in blood to the secular society of Turkey.
But today, there may be Moslem extremism that will put us in danger.
Australians have come to Gallipoli with reverence and respect. That may not
mean much anymore across a violent world.
There was a creep university lecturer in Western Australian who told
students Australia honours ANZAC tradition to cover guilt for killing aborigines
in early days. Those are two relevant but separate issues.
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