Asia-Pacific News
US presidential hope John McCain salutes New Zealand Vietnam vets
Jun 1, 2008, 9:33 GMT
Wellington - United States presidential hopeful Senator John McCain saluted New Zealand veterans of the Vietnam War in a personal message during the weekend as they were formally welcomed home and honoured for the first time, it was revealed on Sunday.
McCain, 71, a former US Navy pilot who spent five and a half years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam after being shot down in a bombing raid in 1967, told them, 'As Vietnam veterans, we share a sacred bond.
'The challenges that we have faced since returning from that conflict are unique. However, the enduring bond, forged in the heat of battle, has helped us overcome any trial we have faced.'
Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa obtained a copy of McCain's message, which was read to about 1,000 veterans in Wellington by US ambassador Bill McCormick, but not released publicly.
The veterans and their families gathered for a weekend reunion in which they received a formal apology from the government for sending them into the toxic environment of Vietnam where the defoliant Agent Orange was widely sprayed and for ignoring them on their return.
More than 3,400 New Zealand forces served in the Vietnam War between 1965 and 1972, New Zealand's longest military engagement, and 37 were killed.
The war bitterly divided the country with anti-war protestors mounting huge demonstrations and unlike those who came back from two world wars, they were given no heroes' welcome home parades.
McCain, who is running for president for the Republican Party, told the New Zealand vets, 'The honour, courage and determination that carried us through that conflict helps sustain us today.'
He expressed the hope that the weekend's reunion would be 'rich in camaraderie' for them all.
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You know?Jun 1st, 2008 - 19:47:06
In regards to Australia, and to the current Australian prime minister in particular, I would like to make the following comments according to my perspective:
1. As a former Australian diplomat in China, a former student of Chinese history, a fluent Mandarin Chinese speaker, with his daughter married to a Chinese, and a son studying in China, his ties to China and Chinese culture are undeniable whether anybody likes it or not.
2. Immediately after the Wenchuan, Sichuan quake he gave a speech in parliament in which he offered Australian aid and a rescue team if requested and said that he had forwarded this message to premier Wen Jiabao. China greatfully accepted the aid, but declined the rescue team.
A sign that Australia still has a long way to go with trust since China initially did accept rescue teams from Hong Kong and Taiwan regions (our compatriots), Singapore (a mostly Chinese inhabited country and thus our brothers and sisters), Japan and South Korea (despite long animosities still our Asian cousins with similar cultural traits), and at last but certainly not least Russia (our close friendly neighbor and long-term trusted partner in the SCO and UN).
These rescue teams have since left and have now been replaced with foreign medical teams.
3. Since than he has given a speech on tv, in fluent Chinese, intended for the Chinese people declaring complete solidarity with the quake victims and promised continued Australian quake aid.
To me these points make one thing clear: that this guy wants closer relations with China. After all China is now Australia's largest trading partner and China is developing ever closer relations with the small Pacific island countries.
Australia is now exporting large amounts of minerals to China creating wealth for the resource rich areas of Western Australia.
Australia's geographical position also locates it within the Pacific area and requires it to have relationships with the Asian countries in the area that are based on mutual respect and benefit. Otherwise it would only alienate itself at its own peril, because the Asian countries will not tolerate a sort of 'superior' attitude typical of European people.
The fact that Australia watched in envy how New Zealand recently signed a FTA with China makes it more determined to proof itself to China and the Australians figure who better to be their advocate than the current Australian prime minister.
It will be interesting to watch how things will turn out for Australia under this prime minister in its relations with China and with Asia as a whole.
In my opinion things look positive if his actions so far can be take as a guide.
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