- Record ANZAC Day numbers in WA -
25.04.2003 13:07:49
The hand of international friendship reached out at ANZAC ceremonies in Western Australia today, with attendances by Gallipoli`s mayor and also Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony.
At dawn, more than 25,000 people turned out to the main service at the State War Memorial in Perth, while more than 30,000 went to the march through the city and the 11am service.
Police and the RSL said all there were record numbers of people at the various services.
In the southern WA city of Albany, considered by many to be the birthplace of ANZAC services, the guest of honour at the dawn service was the Mayor of Gallipoli, Cihat Bingol.
"I go to the dawn service in Gallipoli all the time and this was very similar to what we have in Gallipoli. I was very much touched by proceedings," Mr Bingol told AAP through an interpreter.
The mayor dispelled security concerns surrounding the dawn service in Turkey, saying a potential terrorist threat was purely rumour, and an attack could never happen because of "maximum security".
"It is impossible. There`s no way it can happen," he said.
"There`s no reality as far as my knowledge is concerned, as far as intelligence is concerned. It`s just rumours, nothing else."
Mayor Bingol and Albany mayor Alison Goode were due to sign a memorandum of understanding tonight, formalising the friendship between the two cities.
Cherie Blair, in Perth to deliver a speech at a local university, attended the 11am Perth service but was not introduced to the crowd by name, being lumped into the "other distinguished guests" category.
Later, she told reporters of the service: "It was wonderful. I was also delighted to see so many British people here too."
WA Governor John Sanderson told the crowd Australians were particularly thinking this year about personnel serving in peacekeeping forces and in the wars "against those who would create a world of terror".
"While we pray now for those young Australians who remain in conflict in Iraq, and for their families at home, we must continue to feel a deep anxiety for their safety," Lieutenant General Sanderson said.
"Our hearts must also go out to all those Iraqi families who suffered terribly amidst the horror and uncertainty of what has been wrought by the war around them."
Lieut Gen Sanderson said he hoped that, as a result of the war, Iraqis` lives were made better by generous and compassionate victors whose actions would live up to the high promise that preceded the war.
RSL WA president Bill Gaynor praised anti-war protesters for staying away from ceremonies around the state.
acknowledge:
by Sunday Times
http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au
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