Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Thursday paid tribute
to World War II veterans.
He suspended parliamentary proceedings to honor Australian
soldiers, saying the war "saw acts of incredible bravery and
achievement by Australian soldiers."
There were about 1 million Australians served during World War
II and about 40,000 people were killed.
"We also give thanks to those who sacrificed so much for our
future, and we dedicate ourselves to do everything we can to ensure
that a conflict of that magnitude never again occurs," Howard
said.
He spoke highly of the US role in protecting Australia from a
potential Japanese invasion.
"The people of Australia owe to the US people a debt that can
never be fully repaid," he said.
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley joined Howard in paying tribute to
war veterans at the parliament. "We rose out of that (the war) and
essentially saved ourselves, essentially defended ourselves and
emerged from that war a different nation," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2005)