News

Two elected members of the Falkland Islands Government Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Janet Robertson and the Honourable Richard Stevens, gave speeches at the United Nations Special Committee of 24 on Decolonisation, which met in New York on 18 June.  The speeches can be read here: http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/UN_Committee_of_24.html.

Falklands students had the chance to tell school children visiting Edinburgh Zoo last week all about their home when they met via two live web links.  The link up was part of an outreach established in January by two members of staff from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland which brought together schools in the Falklands and 63 schools in Scotland.

To mark the 27th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Falkland Islands from Argentinean occupation in 1982, a thanksgiving service was held in Christ Church Cathedral on 14 June. His Excellency the Governor attended the service together with the Commander British Forces, Members of the Legislative Assembly and representatives of the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, the Falkland Islands Defence Force and members of the Merchant Navy and Youth Groups.  Veterans from 1982, including local residents and veterans from the United Kingdom, were also present. At 11.00 am a ceremony was held at the Liberation Monument in front of the Secretariat building. After prayers His Excellency the Governor laid a wreath. Wreaths were also laid by a Member of Legislative Assembly, the Commander British Forces, by representatives of the Armed Services, Veteran associations, and by relatives.  A civic reception, hosted by the Falkland Islands Government, was held in the Town Hall from 11.30 am.

On 11 June, representatives of the Falkland Islands Government briefed a group of journalists at the Foreign Press Association on how they are planning to secure a successful future through economic and political development.  Councillor Mike Summers OBE, Government Spokesman, was joined by Sukey Cameron MBE, UK Representative, and told press that, with a developing tourist industry, continued diversification of agriculture and the development of the offshore fishing industry, the Islands’ economy is looking towards a bright future.  The press briefing was attended by a film crew from British Satellite News, who have prepared a news bulletin that can be viewed on www.bsn.org.uk.

Thirty-five competitors and eight officials from the Falkland Islands will make the 10,000 mile journey to the Aland Islands, off Finland, for the 13th NatWest Island Games, which take place from 27 June – 4 July.  Fifteen year old Dylan Stephenson has been chosen to carry the Falklands flag at the opening ceremony, while Dominic Jaffray (14) has been appointed the water carrier during the traditional mixing of waters of all 25 Islands.  Falkland Islanders will be competing in badminton, table tennis, football, golf and clay target shooting.  The many Falklands youngsters who will travel to Aland will gain considerable educational and sporting experience; their presence provides yet another opportunity for the Falklands flag to fly high at an international event.  The Falklands have been represented at every Games since 1991 and have been awarded a total of 15 medals.

The Falkland Islands Government Annual Reception took place this year on 9 June in the Great Hall at the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.  Despite industrial action closing the London Underground system, almost 250 guests attended the event, including MPs, Peers, Legislative Assembly Members, former Governors and CBFs, visiting Islanders, Falkland Islands students, FCO and MoD personnel, former Chief Executives, and members of UK-based Falkland Islands groups.  The speech by the Falkland Islands Government Representative, Sukey Cameron, which was well received, was followed by a message from Her Majesty the Queen, read by David Tatham, Chairman of the Falkland Islands Association, who then proposed the Royal Toast.  To read the speech, click here.

Land-based visitors spent an estimated £3.2 million in the Falkland Islands in 2008, according to figures from the Falkland Islands Tourist Board (FITB).  The money was spent right across the Islands’ economy, in a range of sectors including accommodation, hospitality, retail and transport.  The tourist board’s findings were based on interviews conducted with 175 departing air passengers at Mount Pleasant Airport between December 2008 and March 2009.  ”It was fantastic to find that over 93% of all the passengers we interviewed rated their stay here as being excellent or good,” said Jake Downing, General Manager of FITB. “It was also very encouraging to hear that 77% would like to visit the Falkland Islands again.”

A million pounds has been allocated for the construction of a new ferry terminal at Port Howard on West Falkland.  The funding is part of the Falkland Islands Government’s 2009/2010 capital programme.  The more substantial berthing facility will facilitate an improved and safer operation of the ferry service, which will also achieve compliance with Marine Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations.

His Excellency the Governor has announced that two Argentine next of kin visits, to inaugurate the memorial at the Argentine Cemetery at Darwin, will take place on 3 and 10 October.  The visitors will travel on the scheduled LAN service.

To read the Paper, please click here.