POWS welcome compensation but want apology

Veterans today welcomed an Australian Government decision to compensate soldiers imprisoned by Japan, but said the Japanese government must apologise for harsh treatment of captives.

The Government announced it would give Australian prisoners of war compensation of 25,000 Australian dollars (£8,750) each.

Widows of POWs will also receive the payment, which will cost the Government about 247 million Australian dollars (£86m)

Announcing the payment, Treasurer Peter Costello said no amount of compensation could redress the pain and suffering of Australian POWs held at Japanese camps such as Changi Prison in Singapore and the Thai-Burma railway where 8,000 prisoners perished.

Australians held captive by Germany and its European allies during the Second World War are not eligible.

Acting National President of the Returned and Services League (RSL), Rusty Priest, said although the compensation had been a long time coming it was welcome.

‘‘Albeit 50 years late, we recognise that the compensation is there and we are glad that it has been extended to widows and civilian detainees,’’ he said.

Priest said the RSL was disappointed that POWs in Europe and from other wars were not eligible, but said the prisoners of Japan were a special case.

‘‘It’s closer to home and they did experience a horrific ordeal,’’ he said.

The compensation did not change the need for a formal Japanese apology, Priest said.

‘‘It’s always been our policy that until such time as Japan apologises for the hurt and damage that it did, Japan is not forgiven as far as the RSL is concerned,’’ he said.

The compensation has been welcomed by ex-POWs, but some are still bitter and believe Japan should pay the money.

‘‘I’m very pleased about the compensation. But my fight is not over because the Australian taxpayer is paying what the Japanese government should be paying,’’ said 79-year-old David Barrett, who spent three and a half years as a POW in Thailand.

Barrett plans to continue to fight for an official apology and compensation from Japan.

‘‘To have reconciliation the Japanese have got to have an authentic sorry and they’ve got to pay compensation,’’ he said.

Priest said Japanese Government compensation was not possible because of a 1951 treaty signed by Australia, the United States, Britain and Canada which excused Japan from reparations and compensation.

‘‘It also effectively blocked off any further pursuit of the Japanese over war crimes,’’ he said.