The crash site of MH17 remains under the control of Russian-backed separatists and negotiations for ...

1. MH17 crash site: Australian foreign minister pushes for
access | World news
The crash site of MH17 remains under the control of Russian-backed separatists and negotiations for
access for international investigators are under way, the Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop,
has said.
The Dutch foreign minister, Frans Timmermans, and Bishop will be meeting Ukrainian leaders to
build on government discussions with a range of leaders over how best to secure the site.
The Australian prime minister's office refused to confirm reports on Thursday that a federal police
taskforce protected by Australian troops could be deployed in days, saying discussions were
ongoing.
Bishop and the Australian governor general, Peter Cosgrove, attended a memorial ceremony at
Eindhoven air force base to mark the arrival of the first plane carrying the remains of the victims of
the air disaster.
Cosgrove said it was important that victims' remains were received by "their respective nations".
"There is a long road ahead but now we can care for those taken from us in this unthinkable tragedy,

2. and treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve," Cosgrove said.
"Today I say to Australian mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins,
mates - many of your loved ones are now in friendly arms."
The Dutch and Australian foreign ministers will meet Ukraine's leaders in Kiev to discuss the
implementation of the UN security council resolution.
Australia's special envoy, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, will brief the foreign ministers and they
will meet the Australian government inter-agency team. There are now 200 Australian officials from
various agencies in the Netherlands and Ukraine.
Bishop also met the Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, in the Netherlands to discuss progress on the
international investigation.
Meanwhile, hundreds gathered at a multi-faith service in St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, to pay
their respects to those killed in the disaster.
The service brought together religious leaders from across the city to lead prayers for the victims
and their families.
The head of the Anglican church in Australia said those left behind deserved to know why their loved
ones died.
"From what we know, someone gave orders to destroy MH17. It cannot be true that no one knows
what happened," the Anglican primate, Archbishop Philip Freier, told the congregation on Thursday.
Freier said the families faced a frustrating wait to find out if the people who shot the plane down

3. would face justice.
"What might not always be satisfied in this world, will certainly find its true measure in the judgment
of God," he said.
Freier said the bodies should be returned so families could grieve and say goodbye properly.
The Victorian premier, Denis Napthine, read a poem by the Dutch-American Henry van Dyke, as
candles were lit to commemorate those who died.
Sheikh Moustapha Sarakibi said a Muslim prayer, Hojun Futen gave a Buddhist blessing, and Cantor
Bruce Levin sang a Jewish lament.
Malaysia's consul general, Mohamad Rameez Bin Yahaya, and the Dutch honorary consul, Hans
Nieuwland, lit candles as a tribute to the many who died from their countries.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/mh17-crash-site-australian-foreign-minister-pushes-f
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