Fed: Reconciliation alive and well PM

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2000
Fed: Reconciliation alive and well PM

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has declared the reconciliation process alive and well on
the eve of a crisis meeting triggered by government downplaying of the stolen generation.

The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation meets in Sydney tomorrow to discuss the ramifications
for the reconciliation agenda following the government's denial of the stolen generation.

Aboriginal leaders have condemned the government for denying a generation of Aboriginal
children was taken from their families.

But Mr HOWARD says the criticism does not mean that reconciliation is dead, saying
it's still alive and looking better than some people are saying.

Mr HOWARD says the government and the reconciliation council are discussing how to
continue the process beyond the end of the year, when the reconciliation council winds
up.

He says a document of reconciliation, which will be released by the council at a ceremony
at the Sydney Opera House next month, is not the only goal.

AAP RTV rmg/mfh/wz/jn n

KEYWORD: RECONCILE ( CANBERRA)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.