News

The point of view of Falkland Islanders has been included in two broadsheet newspapers in the UK this week, ensuring that the people are aware of Islanders’ opinions.  On 8 March The Times (circulation 508,250) published a letter from the Hon. Jan Cheek, a Member of the Legislative Assembly, which argued that suggestions regarding the “leaseback” of the Falklands were “deeply disappointing” in response to an article by Matthew Parris (27 February).  A longer “Response” article appeared in The Guardian (circulation 302,285) on 10 March, reiterating the Islanders’ right to self-determination and correcting points made by Simon Jenkins in the newspaper on 25 February.

The letters submitted to the press can be viewed below:

• Letter to The Times
• Response to The Guardian

A meeting has been held in the Falklands with the aim of helping victims of the Chilean earthquake and launching a fundraising appeal. Many members of the Chilean community in the Falklands were grateful to TV broadcasters KTV, who streamed a live Chilean news channel into Falklands homes at no extra cost.  The Falklands Haiti Earthquake Appeal fund has now reached £11,000, including £5,000 donated by the Falkland Islands Government towards a temporary shelter scheme.

A press release from the Falkland Islands Government can be viewed here.

The Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman MP has said that the Falkland Islands will be “fully defended” amid continuing tensions with Argentina.  Standing in for Gordon Brown at Prime Minister’s Questions on 3 March, Ms Harman said: “There is no question about the sovereignty of the Falklands, there is no question of their right to self-determination and there is no question that they will be fully defended.”

A dinner was hosted by the Falkland Islands Government at the House of Commons on 24 February, to say farewell to Sir Nicholas Winterton MP, as Chairman of the UK Falkland Islands All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), a post he has held since 1997.  Sir Nicholas retires from Parliament at the next general election after serving 39 years as an MP. He was a founding member of the APPG in 1981, and a staunch supporter of the Islands, which he visited twice, firstly in 1990, and then again for the 25th Anniversary commemorations in 2007. Sukey Cameron MBE, Falkland Islands Government Representative, hosted the dinner and presented Sir Nicholas with a painting of Stanley.

Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands Government have written a Letter of Condolence to the President of Chile, following the recent devastating earthquake.  The letter was written on behalf of the people of the Falkland Islands, who count amongst their number many people of Chilean origins.  The letter can be viewed in English here and in Spanish here.

The Times printed a letter from Falklands Government Representative in London, Sukey Cameron, on 25 February.  Writing in rebuttal of assertions made earlier by an Argentinian contributor to the newspaper’s letters page, Ms Cameron pointed out that licences to drill for oil in Falklands territorial waters were issued by the Falkland Islands Government, not by London.  She added that Islanders are entitled to do this by the terms of the Joint Declaration over Oil, issued by the Argentine and British Governments in 1995.  The letter can be read in full here.

Six members of 78 Squadron, currently based at RAF Benson operating Merlin helicopters, visited the Islands to honour their Squadron heritage.  The Squadron was granted special permission to lay up its Standard in a special ceremony at Christ Church Cathedral on 20 February. The  Officer commanding 78 Squadron, Wing Commander Nige Colman, said: “Given the vital role 78 Squadron played in the defence of the Falkland Islands for its 21 years based at RAF Mount Pleasant, and the fact that 78 Squadron was the only RAF squadron permanently based in the Falkland Islands, it is extremely appropriate that the old 78 Squadron Standard is laid up in Stanley Cathedral and I am very glad that we have been able to do so.”

Oil rig Ocean Guardian commenced exploratory drilling operations offshore the Falkland Islands on 22 February.  The rig is contracted to Desire Petroleum plc, which has a licence to drill in the North Falkland Basin.  On completion of this initial Desire Petroleum well, the rig will drill a well for Rockhopper Exploration plc in their licensed acreage.  For further information, please visit www.falklands.gov.fk//Oil_&_Minerals.html and www.falklands-oil.com.

Falklands fishing company Fortuna was represented at the London Seafood Show from 2-4 February, joining other sellers intent on introducing their fish into the growing UK market.  High end supermarket seafood counters are demanding more exotic fish and Falklands hake could soon compete with the more traditional cod or haddock.  For further information, please visit www.falklands.gov.fk//Fisheries.html.

The Queen’s Baton arrived in the Falklands on 15 February and embarked on a busy schedule that took it to some of the most scenic areas as well as giving many Islanders a chance to take part in the event.  The Falklands were the 29th of the Baton’s 71 Commonwealth destinations and the southernmost point of its journey to the Commonwealth Games.  Photos below show Falklands children (and penguins) posing proudly with the baton; king penguins and chick inspecting the baton; a baton bearer looking out over the stunning Falklands landscape; and the Governor, HE Alan Huckle, welcoming a baton bearer.