News

Whilst Britain and the Falkland Islands have moved on to a new relationship based on democracy and self-determination, our Argentine neighbours remain in a time warp, still pressing their anachronistic claim to territorial sovereignty.  In short, they wish to colonise the Falkland Islands.  

We have been encouraged by the UK Government’s clear and unshakeable position that the sovereignty issue is not for negotiation.  There is no turning back from this.  

Falkland Islanders have expressed their views freely and unequivocally over many years.  We wish to remain British.  Our constitution enshrines the right to determine our own future.  Surely no-one who supports democracy and human rights can oppose this?

It is regrettable that 27 years after the Falklands War it is still necessary to spell this out once again to yet another Argentine leader who hasn’t realised that the world has changed and countries cannot ride rough-shod over the right to self-determination of free people.

The public consultation period in relation to this Green Paper will close on 24th April 2009. Please submit your views on these and related issues before that time: either at a public meeting, other meetings called to discuss the Green Paper or by e-mail assembly@sec.gov.fk or in writing to Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Click here to read the Paper.

Princess Anne and her husband Vice-Admiral Timothy Laurence arrived in the Falklands on Monday 23 March for a visit to the Islands and South Georgia. She is travelling to the South Atlantic at the invitation of the South Georgia Heritage Trust, SGHT. On 24 March the Princess Royal will be carrying out a number of public engagements including visits to the Royal Falkland Islands Police Station, Fire and Rescue Service Station, Infant Junior and Community Schools, Liberty Lodge, Cape Pembroke Lighthouse and Atlantic Conveyor Memorial.  At the recently inaugurated “Liberty Lodge”, the house built to accommodate visiting British Falklands War veterans, she will meet members of the South Atlantic Medal Association, SAMA 82, local residents, medical staff and sponsors.  The Princess Royal will also have dinner at Malvina House Hotel with members of the Legislative Assembly and their spouses and visit the historic settlement of Port Louis on East Falklands. Port Louis was established by Louis de Bougainville in 1764 as the first French settlement on the islands.

According to a survey carried out by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board, visitors arriving in the Falklands on cruise and expedition vessels spend over £3 million per annum on tours, shopping, food and beverages.  42% of all visitors take an organised tour on the Islands, with Gypsy Cove and Bluff Cove being the most popular locations.  Satisfaction with visits to the Islands is very high, with 98% stating that their trip was ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ and 67% of all visitors were interested in returning to the Falklands to some degree, with 17% stating that they would definitely consider returning for a land based holiday.

The following Executive Council papers, considered at the meeting of Executive Council held on 18 March 2009, are available to download:
- Revision to boundaries of Stanley Airport and Stanley Common
- National Tourism Strategy Working Group
- 10 EDF Single Programme Document
- FLH Additional Funding 08/09 and Budget Submission 09/10
- Coins Order 2009
Click here to view the papers.

Falkland Cricket Club (FCC) from Newbury, UK have retained the Stanley Services Cup following a high scoring match against the Falkland Islands Cricket Association at the Mount Pleasant Oval during the team’s recent tour of the Falkland Islands and Chile.  The FCC tour coincided with the week-long ‘Spirit of Cricket’ festival being held in the Falkland Islands to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the International Cricket Council (ICC).  The Falkland Islands Cricket Association was awarded Affiliate membership of the ICC in 2007.  Falkland CC tour manager Peter George commented: “We have had a fantastic time here with a wonderful welcome everywhere. The golfers were entertained to several rounds, six people went trout fishing with great success and Stuart Strachan, a county bridge player, was warmly received at the Stanley Bridge Club. The Governor kindly gave a Reception at Government House which was greatly enjoyed by all. It’s been wonderful!”

The Government has announced that Cable and Wireless have withdrawn their request for a review of prices.  Click here to read the press release in full.

Sukey Cameron, FIG Representative in London, joined representatives of other Overseas Territories at a rally outside 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, to support St Helena’s campaign for an airport to be built on the Island.  Four years ago the British Government gave an undertaking to build an airport to enable Saint Helena to develop a tourism industry, revive the local economy and ultimately reduce the amount of subsidy paid by UK taxpayers.  Negotiations were suspended in December 2008, days before the contract was due to be signed.  The decision stunned the local population who had begun to invest in tourism and three months later there is no sign of the negotiations being restarted.

The UK government’s visiting de-mining reconnaissance group is confident that workable solutions can be found to the challenge of removing an estimated 25,000 Argentine mines still remaining in the Falklands after the 1982 conflict.  The main aim of the visit was to consult with people in the Falklands about their priorities for de-mining and also to identify a small number of areas for beginning the tendering process for a first demining contract in the Falklands.  During their visit, the de-mining reconnaissance group met with Members of the Legislative Assembly, government officials, Falklands Conservation and members of the community, as well as visiting a number of mine fields on East and West Falklands.  One of the main priorities of the demining would be to achieve minimum environmental impact to preserving the Falklands’ natural environment.

Islanders Stacey McKay and Terri-Sue Clifford, who study at Peter Symonds College in Winchester, are representing the Falklands in London today by participating in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Programme.  The day will include a discussion on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and its contribution to parliamentary democracy; short debates on current critical issues in the Commonwealth; attendance at the Observance at Westminster Abbey at which HM the Queen and all Commonwealth High Commissioners in London will be present; and attendance at the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s evening reception in the presence of Her Majesty.  Click here to read the Queen’s message.