Friday, 25 April 2008

Aussies mark Anzac Day in Cambodia

The Age
April 25, 2008

Hundreds of Australians, New Zealanders and Cambodians gathered near the capital's most important Buddhist sites to commemorate Anzac Day.

The ceremony near downtown Phnom Penh's Wat Phnom commemorated the day Anzac forces landed on the beaches of Turkey for the start of the Gallipoli campaign 93 years ago.

Held under tight security due to fears of possible terrorist attacks, the Anzac service is seen as a poignant one by expatriates because of Cambodia's own recent history of war.

Australia played a leading role in ending Cambodia's 30-year civil war with its negotiations to bring warring factions and international mediators to the table for talks in 1988 and 1989.

The dawn service was organised by the Australian embassy and around 250 people attended, according to those present. Australia is home to tens of thousands of Cambodian migrants and former refugees.

No comments: