Australian-American Friendship Week and Battle of the Coral Sea

Commemorations

I warmly welcome President Clinton’s announcement that Admiral Dennis C Blair,

Commander in Chief of the US Pacific Command, will be his personal representative for

Australian-American Friendship Week and the 58^th Anniversary of the Battle of

the Coral Sea. Admiral Blair will participate in a number of events, in commemoration of

the battle, in Sydney and in Canberra.

The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought in May 1942, was the turning point of the war in

the South Pacific. The courage and sacrifice our forces demonstrated against a common foe

in that battle formed the basis of the strong and enduring friendship between our two

nations.

The strength of that relationship and the valuable contribution it makes to

international security were demonstrated once again in East Timor, as Australians and

Americans worked with the personnel of many other nations to bring peace and stability to

a shattered territory. Our collective efforts made a real and positive difference to the

future of the people of East Timor. Australians will appreciate President Clinton’s

congratulations on the performance of Australian personnel in East Timor.

The peace and security we enjoy today was paid for through the courage and personal

sacrifice of the young Australians and Americans who fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea

and in the many military campaigns in which our two nations have fought side-by-side since

that time. We are forever in their debt and will never forget their sacrifice.

Monday, 1 May 2000

Contact : Niki Savva (02) 6277 7340