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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/18/long-tan-vietnam-allows-restricted-access-to-site-but-ceremony-stays-cancelled
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| Long Tan: Vietnam allows restricted access to site but ceremony stays cancelled | Long Tan: Vietnam allows restricted access to site but ceremony stays cancelled |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Vietnamese government has agreed to allow restricted access to the Long Tan Cross site with strict conditions. | The Vietnamese government has agreed to allow restricted access to the Long Tan Cross site with strict conditions. |
| As the Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten joined hundreds of war veterans and their families to mark the anniversary at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Thursday morning, the ceremony planned in Vietnam for later in the day remains cancelled but small groups of 100 people or less will be able to travel to the site. | |
| The concession follows high-level consultations between the Australian and Vietnamese governments, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website said. | The concession follows high-level consultations between the Australian and Vietnamese governments, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website said. |
| The veterans’ affairs minister, Dan Tehan, said it was a good outcome the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, was able to negotiate. | The veterans’ affairs minister, Dan Tehan, said it was a good outcome the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, was able to negotiate. |
| Related: Anger as Vietnam cancels event marking 50 years since battle of Long Tân | Related: Anger as Vietnam cancels event marking 50 years since battle of Long Tân |
| “Obviously we were all shocked and disappointed yesterday with the news that had come from Vietnam,” he told the Nine Network. “Our hope is now that our veterans and their families will be able to travel to the site and pay their respects to the fallen and to all those who served in a very dignified way.” | “Obviously we were all shocked and disappointed yesterday with the news that had come from Vietnam,” he told the Nine Network. “Our hope is now that our veterans and their families will be able to travel to the site and pay their respects to the fallen and to all those who served in a very dignified way.” |
| Tehan said Australian officials would do their best to make sure everyone could get access. Restrictions to wearing medals were consistent with past practice. | Tehan said Australian officials would do their best to make sure everyone could get access. Restrictions to wearing medals were consistent with past practice. |
| “There is still sensitivities in Vietnam regarding the war,” he said. | “There is still sensitivities in Vietnam regarding the war,” he said. |
| The Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia’s national president, Ken Foster, worries the news might not filter through to veterans who are busy getting ready for their own commemorations. | The Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia’s national president, Ken Foster, worries the news might not filter through to veterans who are busy getting ready for their own commemorations. |
| “A lot of them will still be very distressed at the thought that their mates that are over there at the moment won’t be able to visit the site,” he said. “So there’s going to be potentially some fallout from this.” | “A lot of them will still be very distressed at the thought that their mates that are over there at the moment won’t be able to visit the site,” he said. “So there’s going to be potentially some fallout from this.” |
| He reminded veterans in Australia and those returning from Vietnam counselling services are available for them. | He reminded veterans in Australia and those returning from Vietnam counselling services are available for them. |
| Governor-general Peter Cosgrove was among the dignitaries who joined the prime minister and opposition leader for the memorial event in Canberra. | |
| “We recollect a famous battle and a long-ago war,” Sir Peter told the stand-to service. |