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John Key - Source: ONE News -
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The Prime Minister will not be attending the funeral service for the two New Zealand soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
The bodies of the two New Zealand soldiers are expected to arrive in Christchurch around 10pm tonight.
Lance Corporals Pralli Durrer and Rory Malone were killed during a firefight in Bamiyan province on Saturday night.
A military service for the two 26-year-olds will be held at Burnham Army Base on Saturday.
However, John Key will not be in attendance, as he leaves for the United States tonight so that he can watch his son Max play in the first under-17 baseball team to ever play in the World Series.
"In the end it's a difficult decision. I've got to let somebody down, but my son makes huge sacrifices for me and my job," Key said.
He said he has spoken to the families of the soldiers and explained his situation.
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will attend the funerals in his place.
A ramp ceremony was held on Monday to farewell the soldiers from Bagram Air Base, one of the largest US military bases in Afghanistan.
After a "rousing" farewell haka they were passed into the care of their comrades from the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan.
They are travelling on a United States Air Force C-17 back to New Zealand.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentioneeye said on 2012-08-12 @ 17:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
It's a no brainer and it is his decision, so let it be.
truthnz said on 2012-08-10 @ 09:56 NZDT: Report abusive post
Well done John, the fallen have gone, you have visited the famlies and paid your respects. Its what you do when people are alive that matters, not when they are gone.
Wisefrog said on 2012-08-10 @ 08:03 NZDT: Report abusive post
At the end of the day, in any job FAMILY COMES FIRST! There are enough governmental officials to represent the people of NZ (and I dare say many will at the expense of NZders). If the PM's trip is being paid by the taxpayer, then that is a different story of course. We do not know if he has taken "leave of absence" from his parliamentarian duties to attend his son's event and I guess we never will be told that.
Jacques Maitland said on 2012-08-10 @ 07:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think that John Key made the right decision because his son proprably does put up with a lot, because his farther will always working so good on you John Key
nzdinamo said on 2012-08-10 @ 06:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
Great to see we have a Prime Minister that is father first and foremost. That is his most important job in life and he obviously takes it seriously. Its a pity more people dont put their children first. It is a tragic loss of life and we respect all of these soldiers who risk their lives everyday and send prayers for their families at this sad time.