David Cameron marks British 1919 Amritsar massacre

[Gerald]

David Cameron has become the first serving UK prime minister to pay his respects at the scene of one of the bloodiest massacres in British history.

Mr Cameron is visiting Amritsar in the state of Punjab on Wednesday, at the end of a three-day trade trip to India.

This was where hundreds of people at a public meeting were shot dead by British troops in 1919.

The prime minister described the massacre as "a deeply shameful event in British history".

Writing in the memorial book of condolence, he added: "We must never forget what happened here."

But he is not expected to offer a formal apology despite some calls for him to do so.

While Mr Cameron was in India, a Downing Street source told the BBC that the Red Arrows - the RAF's famous display team - was safe as long as he was prime minister.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21515360


Note: 20 February 2013 Last updated at 08:11 GMT

[Feuer Frei!]

It seems a formal apology is sometimes hard to formulate.
In Australia the same issue arose in relation to the 'Stolen Generation' with then Prime Minister John Howard.
It was made by Kevin Rudd, incoming PM.
Just because a formal apology is made, does not mean that one admits their own personal involvement in that event, it is a gesture. A gesture of deep regret and sorrow and a reminder that in this case, history shall not repeat itself.