UPDATE - Australia disappointed as Vietnam War memorial canceled

UPDATES TO RELEAD, ADD BACKGROUND

By Bennett Murray

HANOI, Vietnam (AA) – Australia is “deeply disappointed” that Vietnam has cancelled an onsite commemoration for one of the bloodiest battles it was involved in during the Vietnam War one day before the ceremony.

The battle at Long Tan, which saw 18 Australian troops and hundreds of Vietnamese killed, ended in victory for the Australians, who were fighting for the United States-led coalition.

“The government is deeply disappointed at this decision, and the manner in which it was taken, so close to the commemoration service taking place,” read a joint statement from Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Dan Tehan.

The ceremony, which was planned for Thursday, was to mark the 50th anniversary of a 1966 battle between Australian troops and Vietnamese communist forces in southern Vietnam.

But Australian broadcaster ABC reported Wednesday that their crew was turned away 200 meters (656 feet) from the site of the planned ceremony, which was to include more than 1,000 visiting Australians according to the government statement.

The Vietnamese government, whose forces fought against Australia during the war, has not stated the reason for its decision.

The war, which Vietnamese refer to as the American War, ended in a communist victory in 1975. It continues to be a sensitive topic in Vietnam, despite improved ties with its former foes.

Hanoi estimates that at least 3 million Vietnamese, including 2 million civilians, died in the conflict.