Australia, NZ observe moment of silence for tsunami victims

Australia, NZ observe moment of silence for tsunami victims

Agencies, Canberra/Wellington

Australia and New Zealand fell silent on Sunday exactly three
weeks after an Indian Ocean earthquake triggered a devastating
tsunami that killed more than 157,000 people in southern Asia.

The two countries observed 60 seconds' silence at the precise
time that the earthquake struck on Dec. 26 - 11:59 a.m. (7:59
a.m. in Jakarta) on the Australian east coast and 1:59 p.m. in
New Zealand.

Flags were flown at half mast to honor the victims, who
included at least 23 Australians and six New Zealanders.
Television and radio stations interrupted their programming with
silence.

Television news reports showed Aborigines with their bodies
painted holding traditional ceremonies in the Australian cities
of Brisbane and Perth. Surfers, including some regular travelers
to Indonesian beach resorts, gathered in circles off shore to
commemorate the tragedy in numerous locations off the Australian
coast.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard attended a Sydney mosque
on Friday in recognition that most of the victims were Muslim
Indonesians.

He attended an Anglican cathedral in Sydney on Sunday and
planned to join in a Hindu ceremony on Sunday evening.

Anglican Archbishop Peter Jensen told the congregation that
the disaster should not shake people's faith in God.

"Some commentators have spoken with undue haste about the
challenge that events such as this pose to belief in God," he
said.

"At one level, so they do. We need to understand, however,
that the Bible sees each event as part of a flow of history, as
part of a design or pattern," he added.

Australians have donated nearly A$200 million ($152 million)
so far for tsunami relief efforts, while the government made its
largest aid commitment yet in pledging A$1 billion to Indonesia.

Indonesia's ambassador to Australia, Imron Cotan, released a
statement to thank Australia for its support and financial aid.

"That Australia was first with offering aid, financial as well
as in kind, demonstrates clearly that both countries are able and
eager to work together," Cotan said.

At Sydney's Bondi beach, surfers paid their respects by
paddling out to throw a wreath into the Pacific Ocean, while
surfers at other beaches formed rings of remembrance.

In Western Australia, about 4,000 people gathered on the
shores of the Indian Ocean for prayers from churches and members
of the Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Baha'i and
Aboriginal communities.

Play was interrupted at an Australia versus Pakistan limited-
overs international cricket match in Tasmania to join in the
minute's silence, and Australian military personnel working on
the clean-up of Indonesia's devastated Aceh province paused at
the same time.

In New Zealand, a bell tolled at a special multi-faith service
in the northern city of Auckland attended by political leaders,
dignitaries, diplomats and ordinary citizens.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said that "three weeks ago, the
world began to watch in horror as a catastrophe without precedent
in recent times unfolded around the Indian Ocean."

The aftermath of the "catastrophe has also seen human beings
reach out to support each other on an unprecedented scale," she
told a packed cathedral.

"Across religions, faiths, and beliefs, across ethnicities and
national boundaries, the common humanity of people has shone
through at this time of great adversity for so many," she said.

The focal point of national compassion was an interfaith
memorial service at the Anglican Cathedral in Auckland attended
by religious and civic leaders.

Clark said she hoped a permanent memorial for tsunami victims
would bring "enhanced solidarity and a strengthened sense of
community worldwide".

Bishop Richard Randerson, the cathedral's dean, said God was
not responsible for the disaster, for which there were ready
scientific explanations. But God had been found in the compassion
and generosity towards those affected.

The New Zealand government has so far pledged 10 million New
Zealand dollars ($7 million) in aid to tsunami-hit countries,
with a larger relief package to be announced on Tuesday.

Public donations amount to nearly 10 million dollars,
according to reports from aid agencies.