SECRETARY CLINTON'S ANZAC DAY MESSAGE RECEIVES

UNCLAS CANBERRA 000416 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE ALSO FOR S, R, AND EAP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PREL AS SUBJECT: SECRETARY CLINTON'S ANZAC DAY MESSAGE RECEIVES WARM RESPONSE IN AUSTRALIA ¶1. (SBU) Summary: A special ANZAC Day message from Secretary Clinton has been warmly received in Australia. The statement generated widespread media coverage and expressions of gratitude from the Prime Minister's office and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other government officials. Considered one of Australia's most important occasions, ANZAC Day commemorates the anniversary of the first major military action by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. It is marked throughout the country in solemn military observances. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Within minutes of its release, the Secretary's message was posted by the Australian Associated Press and picked up online by all the major media in the country. The postings included the largest circulation daily, the Melbourne Herald Sun; the only national newspaper, The Australian; and the popular Channel 9 TV station. Under headlines like "Clinton pays tribute to ANZAC soldiers" and "US Secretary of State recognition for ANZAC effort," the statement was reproduced in full. The Australian Yahoo news site also posted a photo of Secretary Clinton. ¶3. (SBU) In a special broadcast to mark the occasion of ANZAC day, Melbourne Consul General Thurston reiterated Secretary Clinton's ANZAC day message, recognizing the profound importance of the ANZAC tradition to Australians and paying respect and expressing gratitude toward Australian troops. Perth Consul General Ken Chern, visiting Albany in Western Australia to take part in ANZAC Day commemorations, cited Secretary Clinton's ANZAC statement in his interviews with WIN and GWN Television, and in an interview with ABC Radio. CLUNE