Canberra, Feb 6 (Prensa Latina) Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will apologize to the native population on February 13 for past atrocities, making sure there will not be a relapse.
The apology will go to direct or indirect victims of what is known as the stolen generation, when over 100,000 aboriginal children were estranged from their families from 1900 to 1970 to “civilize” them.
Rudd, on behalf of the cabinet and Parliament, will admit to harassment of the natives and Torres Strait islanders, but did not mention economic compensation.
Bendan Nelson, leader of opposition Liberal Coalition (the Liberal and National Parties), called Rudd to expose the content of the apology before consulting party ranks on the issue.
Led for 11 years by ex Prime Minister John Howard, the Liberal coalition always considered impracticable an apology or granting economic compensation to the aboriginal community.