News Updates, Press Releases and Speeches 2008
	3rd July	Falkland Islands Government’s Tenth Year at the Royal Show The Falkland Islands Government is exhibiting at the Royal Show this year, marking the tenth occasion of its attendance at the event at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from 3-6 July. Visitors to the colourful Falklands exhibition stand will be able to find out how the Islands have developed since 1982 into a dynamic UK Overseas Territory which is diversifying its rural economy to achieve sustainable development. The stand will feature information and photography highlighting developments in the Islands' agriculture, fisheries and tourism industries. A plasma TV screen will show DVDs and beautiful images of the Falklands. The stand will be located in the International Village and will be manned by Falkland Islands Government UK Representative Sukey Cameron MBE and colleagues from the Islands. [ Press Release... ]
	20th June	Draft Constitution Ready for Public Consultation The Select Committee on the Constitution has now reached agreement with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the content of the new Draft Constitution for the Falkland Islands, and it can now be released for public consultation. Copies of the Draft Constitution are available from the Clerk of Councils at Gilbert House by electronic copy or in hard copy. The Draft Constitution contains a number of important updates from the current 1985 Constitution, in improvements to the protection of fundamental human rights of the individual, including the right to self-determination and the right to freely dispose of the territories natural resources. It will enhance local democracy by making clear Councillors’ responsibility for domestic policies, and the obligation of the Governor to follow the advice of Executive Council, whilst retaining for the UK Government through the Governor responsibility for foreign affairs, defence, internal security, the administration of justice, audit and the management of the public service. The new draft replaces the Commonwealth qualification for application for Falklands status with a British qualification, and breaks the automatic link between naturalisation and Falklands status, though importantly none of these provisions have retrospective effect. New provision is made for a Public Accounts Committee and for a Complaints Commissioner independent of Government to strengthen civil society. The new Draft Constitution will now go for a period of formal public consultation, and if it receives general approval will be submitted to Legislative Council in September, and to the Privy Council in October, providing for an effective date for the new Constitution of 1 January 2009. The Select Committee will now prepare fuller briefing notes for the public on the changes to the Constitution and their effect, and will organise a series of public briefing and consultation meetings both in Stanley and in Camp. The proposed schedule for these will be issued following next week’s meetings round. [ May 2008: Draft Falkland Islands Constitution (pdf) ]
	20th June	Falklands Conservationist Recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours Robin Woods, a trustee and former chair of Falklands Conservation, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to the conservation of wildlife in the Falklands. He is a leading authority on the birds of the Falklands Islands and has written a number of guides to Falklands wildlife. Rear Admiral Richard Ibbotson, Commander British Forces Falkland Islands from 2002 to 2003, was made a CBE.
	20th June	Liberation Day Remembered in Falklands and UK A large crowd gathered at the Liberation Monument in the Falkland Islands on 14 June, Liberation Day, to pay homage to those members of the British Armed Forces, the Merchant Navy and civilians who died during the fighting to free the Falkland Islands from Argentine occupation in 1982. The sun shone as wreaths were laid by His Excellency the Governor, the Commander British Forces South Atlantic and the Hon Richard Cockwell on behalf of Legislative Council. Among the representatives of military units, veterans associations and family members who laid wreaths were members of a contingent of visiting veterans. Earlier in the morning, a thanksgiving service was held in Christ Church Cathedral, attended by the Governor, the Commander British Forces and members of the Legislative Council. As is usual on this occasion, there was a full congregation of local people, together with representatives of the armed forces, youth groups, the Falkland Islands Defence Force and members of the Merchant Navy. In the UK, the annual Falklands Families Association service took place in the Crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral on 14 June. Some forty people attended the short service which was followed by a moving tribute of the laying of flowers in front of the Falklands memorial. Falkland Islands Government UK Representative Sukey Cameron MBE laid a basket of red, white and blue flowers on behalf of the Islands. A service was also held at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel in Pangbourne on 15 June. Over 150 people attended the annual service, including families, veterans and a number of commanders from 1982. In Wigan, a service took place at the Parish Church, attended by more than 100 people, including veterans and sea cadets.
	12th June	Councillors Defend Right to Self Determination at UN Meeting Councillors Janet Robertson and Richard Stevens attended the United Nations General Assembly 62nd Session of the Special Committee of 24 on Decolonisation on 12 June. As democratically elected representatives of the Falkland Islands, both Councillors spoke in front of the Committee to defend the Falkland Islands right to self determination and to protest about the Committee’s support for Resolution 2065 which is contrary to the concept of self-determination, to human rights and to the rights of peoples as enshrined by the UN’s Declaration on Decolonisation Charter. [ Councillor Janet Robertson's speech (pdf) ] [ Councillor Richard Stevens' speech (pdf) ] [ To read the speeches in Spanish visit: www.britain.org.ar ]
	10th June	Address by Councillor Mike Summers OBE at the Falkland Islands Government Annual Reception "It is a very great pleasure to be here in London on the occasion of the FIG Annual reception at Lincoln's Inn, and to be able to welcome you all to this important event. This time last year we were in the midst of the 25th Anniversary commemorations both here and in the Islands; events that were at times emotional and always moving, which enabled us not only to honour those who paid the ultimate price for freedom, but also to portray to the world the gratitude of Falkland Islanders to Her Majesty's Government and her armed forces, for the professional and effective manner in which they acted to restore the rule of law and democracy to our Islands. And we were also able to demonstrate how the Falklands has moved on in the last 25 years from a failing grant-in-aid economy to a self confident society, economically self sufficient in all but defence." [ Please click here for the full text... ]
	6th June	Councillors to Attend UN C24 Councillors Janet Robertson and Richard Stevens will attend the United Nations C24 Committee on Decolonisation in New York on 12 June. The meeting will allow the Councillors to rebut the Argentine Sovereignty claim and query why Islanders are not deemed, like other self-governing countries, to have the right to self-determination.
	6th June	New Constitution Nears Conclusion A new Falkland Islands Constitution is due to be in place by 1 January 2009. An agreement has been reached with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London that the process can now move into its final stages. The shape and timetable for public discussions of the latest draft are being agreed and the public consultation will begin soon. The draft will then be approved by the Falkland Islands Legislative Council, the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and the Privy Council. [ May 2008: Draft Falkland Islands Constitution (pdf) ]
	6th June	2008-9 Budget is Announced Following considerations at the special budget meeting of Standing Finance Committee, the Financial Secretary the Hon Mr Derek Howatt announced that as well as striking a balanced budget, the committee also struck a reasonable balance between expenditure across the full range of service provision, social purposes, economic development and capital investment. The Government is planning to spend more than £40 million over the next financial year and the estimates support the Islands Plan, forming a series of promises in financial terms to the general public. All essential services are maintained at existing levels. The focus for the new financial year will be the review of Government and its structure in order to reduce spending. [ Please click here to see the Budget Highlights... ]
	30th May	Joint Services Display Capabilities A joint British armed forces and Falkland Islands Defence Force capability demonstration took place on 24 May, attended by 300 visitors. The event demonstrated the substantial capability and readiness of the joint forces of the Falklands, reassuring Islanders of their security. Organisers Major Pete Biggs and Captain Iain Robertson were particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of the young visitors and said it was great to see young and old alike ask so many questions of the soldiers, sailors and airmen.
	29th May	Governor's Address to the Opening Session of Legislative Council Mr Speaker, Sir, Last year, the 25th Anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands and of their liberation by British forces, was a very moving year for us all. The commemorative events allowed us to remember the courage and commitment of the British servicemen and their civilian counterparts who helped to restore freedom and re-instate the rule of law and democracy to these Islands - and it allowed us to honour the dead on both sides. [ Full text of Speech... ]
	23rd May	Landings Commemorated at Blue Beach The Falkland Islands marked the 26th anniversary of the landing of the British Task Force on 21 May 1982. Islanders were joined by members of the military community for the Landing Day service held inside Blue Beach Cemetery, San Carlos. Wreaths were laid by His Excellency the Governor, Councillor Andrea Clausen, the Commander of British Forces, representatives of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Fleet Auxiliary and also by members of the public.
	23 May	WoolCo Well on the Way to Being ‘Stand Alone’ The Falklands Wool Company has completed its first full year of trading and is well on its way to being a stand alone company. The company was established, with Falkland Islands Government funding, in 2006 on a not-for-profit basis, with cost savings passed back to farmers in a final payment at the end of the season. WoolCo works with 15 of the approximately 80 wool producing farms in the Falklands. There were 4,550 bales (872,791 greasy kgs/ 583,248 clean kgs) of wool sold throughout the year at an average net Stanley price of 210p per clean kg and a number of new buyers were found throughout the season.
	16th May	Scholars Dispute Argentine Claim Two independent scholars of Falklands history have disputed Argentina’s claim to the Islands at a presentation at the London School of Economics. University lecturer Dr Graham Pascoe and Peter Pepper gave a public lecture on 13 May entitled “Getting it right: the real history of the Falklands/Malvinas”. This was as a direct response to a seminar organised by the Argentine Embassy in London, which took place in December and contained factual inaccuracies. Mr Pepper said: “We want to put the record straight and expose the falsehoods the Argentines are telling.”
	16th May	Discussions on Rural Strategy Key stakeholders from Government and business have attended meetings to discuss the development of a rural strategy for the Falkland Islands. The discussions looked at ways to strengthen the economy of Camp (local term for the countryside); improve access to goods and services; enhance the quality of life for those living in Camp; ensure that Camp continues to be central to the Falklands’ culture and heritage; make a strong case for future investment in Camp and guide that investment where it is most needed.
	16th May	Record Loligo Squid Season The Falklands Fishery has reported a record loligo squid season with a total production of almost 25,000 tonnes of high quality squid. The recent development and implementation of prerecruit surveys, electronic logbooks, and daily monitoring of the fishery with ‘up to the minute’ reports on stock status by the Fisheries Department contributed greatly to the successful management of one of the most important domestic resources of squid around the Falkland Islands.
	9th May	Government Statement: Landmine Clearance The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) is very conscious of the obligations of Her Majesty's Government (HMG) under the 1997 Ottowa Convention to remove all anti-personnel mines from its territory. No pressure, however, has been placed on HMG in respect of mine clearance. We are satisfied that all mined areas are safely fenced, and present no long term social or economic difficulties for the Falklands. Whilst we would not obstruct any efforts HMG wished to make to fulfil its international obligations, FIG would have to pay close attention to the environmental implications of complete clearance, and the possible negative effect on UK public opinion of high levels of expenditure for little practical purpose. Indeed, we would prefer the money to be spent on removing landmines from needier parts of the world.
	7th May	Councillors to Attend Commonwealth Conference in Gibraltar Falkland Islands Councillors Richard Cockwell and Richard Stevens will attend the annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference to be held in Gibraltar from 11 to 15 May. The conference will explore and discuss strategies that can be pursued by small territories in relation to energy conservation and generation and tourism and the environment.
	7th May	MPs Stress Importance of Airbridge and Fishery Members of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee have recognised the importance of the airbridge between the UK and the Falklands. In a report issued on 1 May, MPs urged the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Ministry of Defence and the Falkland Islands Government that the costs, risks and awards of the new airbridge contract should be apportioned between the partners, so that reliable public access to the Islands is provided and the requirements of all parties are met. The FCO assured the Committee that it is continuing diplomatic contacts with Argentina over a lack of air access through Argentinean space to the Falklands Islands. The report also stressed the importance of the fishing industry to the Islands and the need for a treaty governing high seas fishing in the South West Atlantic.
	7th May	Falklands Fisheries Represented at World’s Largest Seafood Show Representatives from the Falklands fishing industry attended the Brussels Seafood Exhibition from 22-24 April to promote Falklands fish to world buyers. The Brussels Seafood Exhibition is the largest seafood show in the world and attracts many of the companies that market or buy seafood originating in Falkland waters. Held annually, exhibitors from over 80 countries attract in excess of 30,000 visitors over the three days. The Falkland Islands stand was manned by representatives from six local companies and showcased the Falklands as an important fishing region with high quality fishery products. A Falklands Fishery DVD, commissioned by the loligo industry and Consolidated Fisheries Ltd, was distributed and attracted a lot of attention on the stand.
	7th May	Islanders Discuss Oil at Texas Convention The Falkland Islands were represented by Councillor Ian Hansen, Director of Mineral Resources Phyl Rendell and Pippa Christie from the Mineral Resources Department, at the Annual American Association of Petroleum Geologists’ Convention in San Antonio, Texas, from 20-23 April. Around 7,000 delegates attended with the Falklands stand attracting a steady flow of visitors from geologists and oil company representatives interested to learn about hydrocarbon exploration in the Islands.
	1st May	Government Statement: Next of Kin Visits to the Falkland Islands by Argentine families There has been some comment lately on the response of the Falkland Islands Government to the request from the Argentine Government to bring up to 800 people to the Islands by air for the inauguration of a memorial to the Argentine soldiers buried at Darwin cemetery. [ Press Release... ]
	25th April	Work Begins to Upgrade Ferry Terminal Work has begun on the ferry terminal at Port Howard on West Falkland to make it ready for the arrival of a new coastal shipping vessel, Concordia Bay. A new ramp will be built for ferry operations before the vessel arrives in late June.
	25th April	Recruitment of Port Development Officer The Falkland Islands Government is actively recruiting a Port Development Officer to oversee the decision making process on where to build a new port in the Islands. Those being considered for the role will require strong project management experience including working on issues of funding and construction.
	25th April	Meat Industry Celebrates Successful Season The Falkland Islands Meat Company has revealed that throughout the 2007 / 2008 export season a higher yield was achieved despite fewer animals being processed though the abattoir than the previous year. An average increase of 15% in prices obtained further increased the overall income. It is hoped that the new transport system coming into action will result in an improved supply chain to the benefit of the abattoir and the farmer.
	25th April	Falklands Film Wins Award Falklands: The Islanders’ War has won an award for the best multi-channel programme in the Broadcasting Press Guild Television and Radio Awards. The Broadcasting Press Guild is made up of around 100 journalists that specialise in the media including writers for the national press and trade titles. The Islanders’ War was filmed in the Falklands under the direction of Mike Ford and produced by Point of View Productions for the History Channel.
	17th April	Falklands Hosts First Leg of Seven Magnificent Marathons Challenge The Falklands Islands was the location of the first leg of blind runner Dave Heeley’s challenge to run seven marathons in seven days on seven continents in aid of Guide Dogs UK. A flypast by an RAF Tornado F-3 marked the start of the Marathon. Blind Dave, as he likes to be called, and his running partner Malcolm Carr, were accompanied on the 26.2 mile Mount Pleasant course by the respective winner and runner up of the 2008 Stanley Marathon, Simon Almond and Hugh Marsden. As he crossed the finish line in a time of 4 hours and 14 minutes, Dave said: “we’ve started with Brits and we’re going to finish with Brits.” The seventh and final leg of his marathon challenge was the London Marathon on 13 April.
	17th April	Falklands Sees Impressive Cruise Ship Rise Cruise ship tourism to the Falklands continues to grow, with the 2007/08 season showing an impressive 21% increase on the year before. More than 62,200 ship passengers were cleared to land in the Islands between October 2007 and April 2008. The increase in arrivals this season is part of a larger growth pattern, according to Falkland Islands Tourism Board, whose calculations showed that passenger numbers had grown by an average of 16% per annum for seven consecutive seasons, comparing favourably with global growth of just 8% per annum. A total of 46 different vessels visited the Islands during the season, compared to 42 in 2006/07. This included ten maiden calls. According to FITB, local increases are set to continue with cruise holidays experiencing unprecedented growth across the globe.
	17th April	Camp Connects to Broadband Broadband connections have now been installed in the first Camp settlement (Camp is the Falklands term for the countryside). This link up to the Cable and Wireless broadband service will bring huge benefits to both residents and businesses, improving communication within the Islands and further afield. Half of Camp customers are due to be on line by December and the remainder by March 2009.
	17th April	New Equipment for Hospital The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s bowel screening campaign has received a boost in the shape of £150,000 worth of new equipment. The hospital offers regular screening for those people who are members of high risk families. Since the introduction of the campaign for regular screening in 1994, there has been a dramatic reduction in the incidence of bowel cancer in the Islands.
	27th March	Islands Plan Measures Success The Falkland Islands Government has published a report on the progress made on the Islands Plan for the period 2004-2007, written jointly by Councillor Mike Summers and Chief Executive Dr Tim Thorogood. Achievements include increases in small business profitability and tourism numbers, the retention of low unemployment, improved communications and health services and prudent management of Government. The report was released in conjunction with the new Islands Plan, which will run from 2008-2012.
	27th March	Falklands Students Meet the Queen Two Falklands students, from Chichester College, were nominated to represent the Falkland Islands at various events in London on Commonwealth Day, Monday 10th March. The events, organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, included a tour of the Houses of Parliament, discussions on the Commonwealth, presentations and debates of current critical issues in the Commonwealth, attendance at the Observance at Westminster Abbey and culminated in a reception at Marlborough House in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. Karen Minto and Michael Brownlee met the Queen, who was interested to find out where they were from.
	27th March	MPs Appreciate Falklands Issues Foreign Affairs Select Committee members Eric Illsley MP and Gisela Stuart MP were in the Islands from 12-18 March as part of an inquiry on Overseas Territories. During the visit they met with representatives from both the public and private sectors and said they would leave the Falkland Islands better able to appreciate the issues affecting Islanders.
	27th March	Stanley Marathon The world’s most southerly marathon, the Stanley Marathon, has a new champion. After running almost the entire course side by side with three-time winner Hugh Marsden, military runner Simon Almond made a break in the final mile, crossing the finish line in a new marathon record of two hours, 55 minutes and 46 seconds, collecting prize money of £1,000 for his efforts. One hundred and sixty-five runners turned up for the 26 mile race, which was blessed with beautiful weather and only a slight, cool breeze. Thirty-four individuals ran the entire distance while the rest ran in a team relay event. Organised by Standard Chartered Bank, the marathon supports the bank’s charity for visually impaired people, Seeing is Believing.
	4th March	Falklands Flight Concessions for Veterans From 1 September all British Falklands War Veterans will be able to apply for indulgence flights to the Islands via the airbridge. The concession has been granted by the Ministry of Defence and all applications for the service will be channelled through the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA). The concession will not apply for spouses or dependents.
	22nd February	British Politicians Praise Falkland Islands A delegation of British politicians visited the Falkland Islands this week and described their visit as “a real eye opening experience”. Labour MP Jeff Ennis, parliamentary private secretary to cabinet secretary Ed Milliband, led the delegation, which also included Paul Holmes (Lib Dem), Lord Nigel Jones of Cheltenham (Lib Dem) and Lord Ian McColl of Dulwich (Con). The group were representing the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s UK branch at the invitation of the Falkland Islands Government. At a press conference on the eve of their departure, the group were full of praise for the work of the Falklands Councillors in furthering the cause of the Falkland Islands. A team from the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, which looks at the exercise by the FCO of its responsibilities in the Overseas Territories, is visiting the Falklands next month.
	6th February	British Explore Options for Mine Clearance The British Government is considering ways of clearing approximately 20,000 mines left on the Falklands Islands after the Conflict in 1982. Baroness Crawley, Government Spokesperson for Defence in the House of Lords, informed the House that clearance would be "challenging but technically possible".
	18th January	FIGO Celebrates 25th Anniversary The Falkland Islands Government Office in London celebrated its 25th anniversary on Monday with an informal reception at Falkland House. Baroness Thatcher was Guest of Honour at the event which was also attended by MPs, Peers, journalists and friends of the Falklands. Sukey Cameron MBE, the Falkland Islands Government UK Representative, gave a short speech outlining the history of the office in London before Baroness Thatcher cut the FIGO birthday cake. [ Press Release... ]
	7th January	Prime Minister’s New Year Message In his first New Year address to the Falklands, Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Falkland Islanders that he had no doubts about the UK’s sovereignty over the Falklands. He undertook to uphold Islanders’ security and everything they have worked to achieve over the past 25 years. [ Press Release... ]
	7th January	By-Election Result John Birmingham has been elected as a Councillor to represent the Stanley constituency following a by-election on 3 January. 47% of Stanley’s electorate voted in the by-election. Cllr Birmingham previously served on the Legislative Council from 1993 to 2005.
	7th January	Overseas Territories Minister Visit The new Overseas Territories Minister Meg Munn MP visited the Falklands from 3 to 5 January. Ms Munn met FIG officials, Councillors and members of the business community. She visited Gypsy Cove and Sea Lion Island, where she laid a wreath at the memorial to HMS Sheffield.
	7th January	New Chief Executive Arrives Dr. Tim Thorogood arrived in the Islands on 3 January to take up his position as the new Falkland Islands Government Chief Executive. Dr. Thorogood was previously Chief Executive of the Local Government Information Unit and, prior to this, Chief Executive of Swansea City and County Council.
	7th January	New Memorial Marks 175th Anniversary A memorial to the Royal Marines was unveiled in the Falklands on 3 January, the day that marks 175 years since the re-establishment of British occupation of the Islands. The memorial stands by Government House in Stanley.
	4th January	Falkland Islands Government Office Celebrates 25 Years in London 12 January marks 25 years since the opening of the Falkland Islands Government Office (FIGO) in London, making it one of the longest established UK Overseas Territories Offices. Sukey Cameron MBE has been the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) UK Representative since 1990. She is available for interview about the changing role of FIGO and what it's like to be the face of the Falkland Islands in the UK. [ Press Release... ]

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