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PREMIER SLAMS TURKEY
Fairfield Champion, Australia
August 28, 2013 Wednesday
First Edition
by Kerri-Ann Hellier
THE NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has voiced his anger at the Turkish
government's threat to ban some NSW politicians from attending
centenary Gallipoli celebrations next year.
The ban was directed at politicians who supported a motion in May
recognising the genocide of Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks by the
then Ottoman government during World War I.
"What a terrible indictment by the consul-general of the freedom that
was fought for on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915," Mr O'Farrell said.
"The truth will set people free.
"History should never be denied, otherwise it is likely to be
repeated."
Smithfield MP Andrew Rohan confirmed his support for the motion,
but said the motion did not refer to the present Turkish government.
Mr Rohan said he heard about the ban through the media and said he
was disappointed.
"The centenary of the Gallipoli service will be a month after the
NSW election in 2015," he said.
"So I don't think it would be possible to attend because politicians
will be flat out with their parliamentary duties in the community.
"The Gallipoli service is more appropriate for the descendants of the
soldiers who fought there rather than politicians to take up the spot.
For members of parliament to be banned is a sad indictment of the
freedoms that our soldiers fought for at Gallipoli."
From: A. Papazian
Fairfield Champion, Australia
August 28, 2013 Wednesday
First Edition
by Kerri-Ann Hellier
THE NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has voiced his anger at the Turkish
government's threat to ban some NSW politicians from attending
centenary Gallipoli celebrations next year.
The ban was directed at politicians who supported a motion in May
recognising the genocide of Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks by the
then Ottoman government during World War I.
"What a terrible indictment by the consul-general of the freedom that
was fought for on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915," Mr O'Farrell said.
"The truth will set people free.
"History should never be denied, otherwise it is likely to be
repeated."
Smithfield MP Andrew Rohan confirmed his support for the motion,
but said the motion did not refer to the present Turkish government.
Mr Rohan said he heard about the ban through the media and said he
was disappointed.
"The centenary of the Gallipoli service will be a month after the
NSW election in 2015," he said.
"So I don't think it would be possible to attend because politicians
will be flat out with their parliamentary duties in the community.
"The Gallipoli service is more appropriate for the descendants of the
soldiers who fought there rather than politicians to take up the spot.
For members of parliament to be banned is a sad indictment of the
freedoms that our soldiers fought for at Gallipoli."
From: A. Papazian