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The Secretary of the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade, H.E. Michael
L’Estrange, Excellencies, Friends, Distinguished
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to welcome
you to the Indonesian Embassy for this Interfaith
Prayer Ceremony to honour the victims of the
recent earthquake in Yogyakarta and Central Java.
Although we are gathered here tonight under tragic
circumstances, it warms my heart to see so many of
you in attendance, and I offer my sincerest
appreciation to you all.
As you are all aware, on the morning
of 27 May 2006, a massive earthquake struck off
the Special Province of Yogyakarta and the
Province of Central Java. More than five-thousand
people lost their lives with thousands more left
injured or homeless.
The earthquake serves as a tragic
reminder of the awesome power of Mother Nature
which can create life as well as take it away. And
while we can be somewhat comforted by the fact
that through enough time and money, homes and
structures can be rebuilt, for the friends and
families of the victims, nothing can ever replace
what they have lost.
What makes this disaster even
more heartbreaking is that Yogyakarta, as one of
Indonesia’s foremost cultural centres, has long
held a special place in the hearts of many
Australians, not only as a tourist destination,
but also as a place where they can gain a better
understanding of Indonesia. Something that has
significantly contributed to the efforts to
enhance relations between our two countries. These
people can rest assured that the resilient spirit
of Yogyakarta will prevail and be further
strengthened by this enormous challenge.
This evening’s event is about
solidarity in honouring humanity which goes beyond
political, religion or ethnic differences. This
evening we are united in prayer regardless of the
different religions that we have, to honour those
who have died and wish a speedy recovery for those
who are injured.
Relief efforts are currently being
undertaken by the National Coordinating Agency for
Disaster Relief through the Earthquake Command
Centre, but further assistance is desperately
needed.
I, therefore,
would like to take this opportunity, on
behalf of the Government of the Republic of
Indonesia, to extend our heartfelt gratitude to
the Government and people
of Australia for their outstanding response. I
would also like to thank foreign Governments,
through their representatives here, for all the
assistance their governments have provided to
Indonesia, in this time of difficulty.
We will never be able to bring back
those who have died, but through our combined
efforts, we will certainly be able to give hope to
those left behind.
Thank you.
Canberra,
30 May 2006
Y.
Kristiarto S. Legowo
Chargé
d’Affaires
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