Fed: Governor-General to represent Aust at pope's funeral

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2005
Fed: Governor-General to represent Aust at pope's funeral

CANBERRA, April 5 AAP - The Malaysian prime minister's visit to Australia will prevent
Prime Minister John Howard from attending the funeral of Pope John Paul II on Friday.

Mr Howard today confirmed Governor-General Michael Jeffery and his wife Marlena would
represent Australia at the funeral in Vatican City.

"I am unable to attend the funeral due to the visit to Australia of the Prime Minister
of Malaysia, Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi," Mr Howard said in a statement.

"The Governor-General and Mrs Jeffery hope then to resume their earlier program to
attend the marriage celebrations for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Mrs Camilla
Parker Bowles which have been deferred to Saturday, 9 April."

Maj Gen Jeffery was to attend the wedding in London on Friday, but the service was
postponed to allow Prince Charles to attend the pope's funeral.

AAP pjo/mfh/sb/lb/tnf s

KEYWORD: POPE GG LEAD

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