Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Thursday paid tribute to World War II veterans.

 

He suspended parliamentary proceedings to honor Australian soldiers, saying the war "saw acts of incredible bravery and achievement by Australian soldiers."

 

There were about 1 million Australians served during World War II and about 40,000 people were killed.

 

"We also give thanks to those who sacrificed so much for our future, and we dedicate ourselves to do everything we can to ensure that a conflict of that magnitude never again occurs," Howard said.

 

He spoke highly of the US role in protecting Australia from a potential Japanese invasion.

 

"The people of Australia owe to the US people a debt that can never be fully repaid," he said.

 

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley joined Howard in paying tribute to war veterans at the parliament. "We rose out of that (the war) and essentially saved ourselves, essentially defended ourselves and emerged from that war a different nation," he said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2005)