RI gives 'medals of honor' to chopper crash victims

RI gives 'medals of honor' to chopper crash victims

Agencies, Canberra

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced here on Monday that
11 Australian soldiers caught in a deadly helicopter crash while
providing aid to earthquake-stricken Indonesian villagers would
receive "medals of honor" from his government.

Nine Australian navy and air force personnel died and two were
injured when the navy Sea King helicopter crashed Saturday on
Indonesia's Nias island, the area worst hit by an 8.7-magnitude
earthquake that has killed hundreds of islanders.

It was the deadliest accident involving Australian troops in
nine years.

"Let me take this opportunity to state on record our deepest
condolences and profound sadness for the tragic helicopter crash
in the island of Nias last Saturday which claimed the lives of
nine Australians and miraculously produced two survivors," Susilo
said after talks here with Australian leaders.

"Our hearts go out to their families, and I want them to know
that the people and government of Indonesia are grateful for
their noble contribution in helping those who are suffering in
Nias," he said.

"For their ultimate sacrifice, my government intends to give
the 11 Australians medals of honor," he said.

The helicopter crash cast a shadow over Susilo's first visit
to Australia, which has been hailed as a landmark in moves to
improve the often testy relations between Canberra and Jakarta.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the nine dead servicemen and women
bodies were accorded a brief military ceremony at Sumatra's
Sibolga town before being flown to Jakarta and then on to Sydney
aboard an Australian Hercules C-130.

Following their talks, Australian Prime Minister John Howard
and Susilo laid wreaths in memory of the dead soldiers at the
tomb of the unknown soldier at the Australian War Memorial in
Canberra.

In a note attached to the wreath, Howard wrote: "In memory of
nine Australians who died doing the humanitarian work of their
nation."

The crash forced the Australian navy to ground its fleet of
aging Sea King helicopters Monday.

The navy said its remaining fleet of six Sea Kings would stay
grounded pending an investigation into the cause of the tragedy.

"We've decided that for the moment, until we find out more
detail about exactly what occurred and why, that we won't fly,"
Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt in Sydney.