Regarding the Feb. 14 article "Australian lawmakers deliver official apology to Aborigines": How long I have waited for this! I first read about the "stolen generation" in 1999 while I was staying in Australia. At first I could not believe that there was such a sad past in Australian history. But after visiting many places in the country, I came to understand little by little the problems related to the indigenous people.

Though it took many years for the resolution of this controversial issue, it is good news, in terms of reconciliation, for the whole country. Although we still have more problems to solve to improve the deprived lives of Aborigines, I'm glad to see how relatively easily one obstinate policy can be changed when the "pilots" (prime ministers) of a country change.

shigeo wagatsuma