Government News Index
COMMONWEALTH NATIONS UNITED ON FRENCH WAR GRAVES
VA18 Thursday 14 March 2002
Australia and other Commonwealth nations had takenare taking a united stand to preserve
war graves under threat from French plans for an international airport on the Somme, the
Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said today.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) met last night in London on
Wednesday to discuss the latest developments in plans for the airport. The proposed
development zone recently declared by French authorities takes in eight Commonwealth
war cemeteries, including three which hold the graves of 61 Australians killed in action
during the two World Wars.
"Last night, Australia's High Commissioner to Britain, Michael L'Estrange, informed the
CWGC of Australia's strong desire that war graves on the Western Front be left
undisturbed," Minister Vale said.
"Britain, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and India fully supported these concerns at
the meeting and the Federal Government welcomes this united position.
"The Commission will be taking these concerns to the French Government and seeking full
consultation with a view to removing any threat to the war graves of Commonwealth
servicemen. Our ambassador to France is also taking up Australia's concerns directly with
Paris. I will be meeting with Mr L'Estrange next week and will be discussing this issue and
re-enforcing our concerns.
"France has always been sensitive to the need to preserve the graves of those who
sacrificed their lives for democracy during two World Wars. The airport proposal is still in
the early phases of development and we would expect that any final decision would reflect
the deep respect held by France and all of our nations for our war dead," the Minister said.
Minister Vale said Australia's diplomatic missionsshe had instructed and the Office of
Australian War Graves would to continue to keep in touchvigorously raise Australia's
concerns with the CWGC and French authorities, to monitor the development of plans for
the airport.ensure these sacred resting places were not disturbed.
Australia was is also keeping a close watch on proposals in Belgium to extend the A19
motorway in Flanders across the World War I battlefield Ypres.
"The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has raised concerns that burial grounds
might be affected by these roadworks," Minister Vale said.
"The proposed route at this stage lies outside the main area of Australian operations at
Ypres, although a final decision is yet to be made. Belgian authorities already have
indicated to the Commission that they will be avoiding disturbing any war grave sites, in
keeping with their approach to other works undertaken on former battlefields.
"With any construction project on the Western Front, there is the concern that previously
undiscovered graves may be disturbed. In those cases the Office of Australian War Graves
will work with the CWGC to ensure that any remains identified as those of an Australian
serviceman are reinterred in a Commonwealth War Cemetery," she said.