Executive Council
May 12, 2015
The following statement was issued today by the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador regarding the placement of a monument in Gallipoli:
Commemoration of Royal Newfoundland Regiment in Gallipoli
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador approached the Government of Turkey to explore the possibility of erecting a caribou monument to commemorate the Royal Newfoundland Regiment's participation in the Battle of Gallipoli in the First World War.
I met in St. John's with Turkish ambassador to Canada, Selcuk Unal, on December 15, 2014, to discuss the matter of the monument.
At that meeting the ambassador confirmed the position of his government that monuments were not permitted at the Gallipoli site. The ambassador explained that it was a long-standing policy of the government and that other countries have been permitted to place plaques for commemoration purposes. I confirmed that the province would be prepared to develop an appropriate plaque for the purpose.
I also indicated to the ambassador that should the Government of Turkey reconsider its policy with regard to monuments that Newfoundland and Labrador would strongly desire to place a caribou monument at the site.
We have made a $3.1 million commitment to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment participation in the First World War. Launched in November 2013, Honour 100 involves commemorations in five areas: Anniversaries, Legacy, Education, Provincial Outreach, and Research.
During Honour 100, the Provincial Government has increased the number of youth who will join the annual Trail of the Caribou Pilgrimage to Beaumont Hamel. From 2013 to 2018, 150 youth from across Newfoundland and Labrador will have the opportunity to travel to Europe and sites where the Royal Newfoundland Regiment fought significant battles.
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Media contacts:
|
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Donna Ivey
Special Assistant, Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3551 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
2015 05 12 1:10 p.m.