David Sumberg MEP
Date:
10/12/2001
LEAVE
SOMME WAR GRAVES IN PEACE
North West Euro MP David Sumberg is writing to the French President Jacques Chirac calling on him not to build an airport on First World War graves.
Mr Sumberg said he is deeply concerned by the French government’s announcement that a £3.5bn intercontinental airport, intended to relieve pressure on the two existing Paris airports, is to be built near the town of Chaulnes, 80 miles north of Paris.
‘The site appears to have been chosen ahead of seven other possible sites, north, east and south of Paris,’ he said. ‘Three First World War cemeteries lie within the likely boundaries of the proposed airport, including graves of soldiers who died in the Battle of the Somme.'
Mr Sumberg said he and other Tory MEPs wanted Mr Chirac to provide assurances that no plans will be approved which are objected to by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
‘Although no plans have been finalised, it is deeply distressing for the families of those buried in First World War cemeteries around Chaulnes to be faced with the prospect that graves may be moved or disturbed to make way for this airport,’ he said.
'What we are saying to Mr Chirac is that he has a moral and historical duty to ensure his Government acts in a way that is sensitive to the memory of those who died in the First World War and to the feelings of their families. We must never forget.'