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Falkland Focus
News from the Falkland Islands Government
Number: 70 - September/October 2000

THE FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT ANNUAL RECEPTION

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Economic Forum projects Falklands into 21st Century

Economic Developments

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Constitutional Review

Falkland Islands Government's Annual Reception

Oil Update: The South West Atlantic Hydrocarbons Commission Meets

Environmental Marine Conference

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Education Watch: Graduates Show Promising Future - Excellent A Level Results

News In Brief: Significant Interest Generated in the Islands at the UK County Shows - Overseas Territories Open Day - New Fish Processing Plant - Falklands' Photographs Positively Changed UK Public's Perceptions of the Islands

Future Visits to the Islands: Yorkshire Links - British MPs - Celebrity Chef

Constitutional Review

Legislative Council has established a Select Committee, comprising all elected members, to review the Falkland Islands Constitution in recognition of the mature partnership that the Islands enjoy with the UK Government. Foreign Office Minister John Battle MP has called the discussions "a healthy, open debate."

Discussion papers on the Constitution have been produced by elected representatives, so that Falkland Islanders can "form opinions about what is the most appropriate, representative and efficient form of Government for the Falkland Islands now and into the future." The papers have been published in the weekly newspaper Penguin News and an extensive programme of consultation with the electorate is under way.

Ian Hendry, Deputy Legal Advisor at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visited the Islands in June to provide advice and assistance in the process. The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Arthur Donahoe QC, will continue this during his visit in early December.

The Select Committee envisages the public consultation process to be completed in May when the proposals will be placed before the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and in turn to the Privy Council. The intention is that the 2001 General Election in the Islands will be contested under a revised constitution.

Government House, Stanley

Falkland Islands Government's Annual Reception

Over 250 guests including parliamentarians, the media, Falkland friends and families in the UK and many people associated with the Islands attended the Falkland Islands Annual Reception at Lincoln's Inn, London on 13 June. Lord Hurd of Westwell, who is the President of the Falkland Islands Association, was among the guests.

Sukey Cameron, the Falkland Islands Government Representative in the UK, spoke of the significant events and achievements that the Islands had witnessed in the last year, including the 14 July 1999 Joint Statement between the British and Argentine Governments. However in a reference to Argentina's continued claim over the Islands, Ms Cameron said: "The right to self-determination is enshrined in the Falkland Islands Constitution, in the UN Charter and guaranteed by the UK Government. Of our own free will we wish to remain British and with your support we will continue to assert our sovereign right to self-determination."

Following the reception the Band of the Welsh Guards Beat Retreat and General Sir Peter de la Billiere took the salute.

The full text of the Representative's speech is available on-line, please click here.

Oil Update: The South West Atlantic Hydrocarbons Commission Meets

Councillor Birmingham reported that the meeting of the South West Atlantic Hydrocarbons Commission in London in August was conducted in a "cordial atmosphere". This was the first meeting since the inauguration of the new Argentine administration. Representing the Falklands, in the British delegation, were Director of Mineral Resources Phyl Rendell, Attorney General David Lang and Dr Phil Richards, from the British Geological Survey.

The Falkland Islands Government's decision to move towards an open-door licensing policy was discussed and Mrs Rendell confirmed that the British Government is supportive of this development. A joint press statement, from the British and Argentine delegations, said that the delegations would "reflect further" following the meeting and Mrs Rendell confirmed that each side had a "list of tasks to complete".

Environmental Marine Conference

An environmental conference was held in June at The Royal Society in London looking at the South West Atlantic and particularly the area around the Falkland Islands. The ground breaking conference, organised by Dr Mike Osborne of Metoc, on behalf of the oil companies Environmental Working Group with assistance from Falklands Conservation, is the first to look in detail at the region and was sponsored by the Falkland Islands Government. Speakers including the British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey and Falklands Conservation presented previously unpublished research including the results of the environmental assessment studies undertaken by the various companies involved in the recent oil exploration of the surrounding waters.