Battlefield tourism operators do not believe the escalating war of words between the Australian prime minister and the Turkish president over inflammatory comments following the Christchurch terrorist attack will have any bearing on Gallipoli commemorations on Anzac Day.
Scott Morrison is furious about Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s comments invoking Gallipoli to denounce anti-Islamic sentiment in the wake of the Christchurch terror attack.
Morrison announced on Wednesday that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is reviewing Australia’s official travel advice to Turkey.
Erdoğan suggested that anyone who travels to Turkey with anti-Muslim sentiments would be sent back in coffins, “like their grandfathers were” during the Gallipoli campaign.
He made the comments in Turkey’s north-western Çanakkale province, which is home to the historic battlefields, on the anniversary of a first world war Turkish naval victory.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is continuing to make plans to conduct the traditional commemorative services at Anzac Cove on 25 April.
“The Australian government is closely monitoring the security situation in Turkey and regards the safety of Australians who plan to visit the Gallipoli Peninsula as its highest priority,” veterans affairs minister Darren Chester said.
The tour company Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours played down the row between the two leaders.
“People are smart enough to realise the president doesn’t represent the view of all of Turkey,” general manager Matt Masson said told the Guardian.
“There is a strong spirit of camaraderie between Turkey and Australia. The Turks often stand side-by-side during the dawn service.”
There is a long tradition of mutual respect between locals in the towns around the battlefields and visiting Australians.
Masson said the camaraderie transcends any religious issues and there are no indications from their Turkish partners that there is any increased risk involved.
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