An Australian-funded eye hospital was a symbol of hope, love, humanity and friendship, Indonesia’s President declared yesterday. He said it was testament to the fact that the terrorists whose actions brought about the hospital had failed to advance their hatred.
Prime Minister John Howard described the new $7 million hospital as a practical and living memorial and tribute to the Australians who died in the 2002 and 2005 Bali terrorist bombings.
The leaders of both countries came together Friday 27th to officially open the Australia Bali Memorial Eye Centre, a world-class eye hospital funded as part of Australia’s funding package to Indonesia. It was the first meeting between the leaders since relations thawed out after a testy period.
The men also announced plans to conduct a feasibility study on a free trade agreement between the two neighbours.
In a speech at the opening of the eye hospital, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono described the centre as being “in memory of our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on 12 October 2002″.
“Today the terrorists who are responsible for such monstrous crimes have been captured, tried and put behind bars,” he said. “They have utterly failed to advance their cause of hatred.
“What prevails today here in Bali and throughout Indonesia is the magnificent force of the human spirit, the spirit of hope, the spirit of love, the spirit of humanity and the spirit of friendships.”
He also paid special tribute to the work of Bali-based Australian John Fawcett who first came to Bali in 1989 and who has worked tirelessly to offer cleft palate and cataract surgery to the poor.
Mr Howard described the centre as “a living memorial and a practical source of help to hundreds of thousands of people of the beautiful island of Bali”, saying there had always been a deep bond between Australia and Bali.
“This centre is another mark of the deep and genuine friendship between Australia and Indonesia,” he said.
“It is a mark of the practical desire of both our peoples to work in a way that enhances the lives of ordinary citizens.”
The centre, due to begin work in September, will treat thousands of Balinese and other Indonesians who go blind from reversible cataracts and other eye diseases.
Comments
Leave a Comment