WHY UNDERTAKE THIS PROJECT NOW, IN THE YEAR 2002?

Ø BETTER TECHNOLOGY IS AVAILABLE TO AID SEARCHES e.g.

· better communications and information search facilities,

· reliable GPS to aid navigation during field operations, and

· advances in DNA profiling techniques since 1984 for positive identification of remains.

Ø INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH VIETNAM HAVE IMPROVED.

Ø WE ALL, AS AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS, HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO THE FOLLOWING GROUPS WITHIN OUR SOCIETY:

· most importantly but not exclusively, the families of the missing men;

· the servicemen themselves, the ones who made the supreme sacrifice;

· the current force who stand ready to protect our way of life; and.

· all ex-service personnel and especially the ones who worked closely with the men who gave their lives in the service of our country.

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