News

Two members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Emma Edwards MLA and the Honourable Gavin Short MLA, addressed the United Nations Decolonisation Committee in New York yesterday.

During her speech, Ms. Edwards vigorously defended the Falkland Islanders position regarding the right to self-determination and told the Committee members that “the people of the Falkland Islands do not want to become part of Argentina” and “by pursuing its sovereignty claim, Argentina is seeking to colonise the Falkland Islands and its people”.

During his speech, Mr Short told the Committee members that “we did not displace any indigenous peoples. There were none”. He also stated, “The Falklands Islands today are not a colony in any way shape or form but a British overseas territory by choice”.

During her speech, Ms. Edwards, made the following points:

• Falkland Islanders have the right to self determination which it has exercised by choosing to be a self governing Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom.
• Self-determination is a basic human right.  It is a moral argument. 
• The Islands are a free and democratic country that is not dependent on the UK.
• If Argentina would co-operate on the issue of hydrocarbons, then the whole of the Southern Region of South America could benefit.
• The original intentions and spirit of the Decolonisation Committee was to help small colonised territories…to determine their own futures. Why does Argentina not afford the Falkland Islanders these same rights?

To read the full speech please click here

During his speech, Mr. Short made the following points:

• Argentina repeatedly twists history to favour its totally unfounded and illegal claim to the Islands.
• Argentina’s management of fish stocks is unsustainable and will probably lead to the collapse of the biomass in some stocks.
• Encouraged by Britain, the Falkland Islands is changing and growing and aims to have every position within the Islands filled by a native born Islander or those who have chosen to make them their home. 

To read the full speech please click here

The Islands have sent representatives to the annual meeting of the Committee since 1983.

Gary Clement has been informed by the His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Alan Huckle, that he has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for his work with the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA).  Former Royal Marine and veteran of the 1982 War himself, Gary is the Chairman of the Falklands branch of SAMA and he estimates he must have helped with the visits of between 800 – 1000 returning veterans. Gary is now busy planning for the 30th Anniversary of the Falklands War and upcoming pilgrimages.

(Penguin News)

Children at Falkland Islands Community School (FICS) have recently bid farewell to a group of Chilean students from Punta Arenas, after a three-week exchange programme came to an end. Teacher Elena Barria Ampuero, who accompanied the group, said she thought the visit had been a great success and that the children had improved their English, in addition to learning more about the Falklands. It is hoped that there will be an opportunity for FICS students to make a return visit to Chile next March. 

(Penguin News)

The Chief Executive, Dr Tim Thorogood, has agreed to continue in post for a further two years when his current contract comes to an end in early January 2011. This will ensure continuity at the most senior level in the public service at an important stage in the Islands’ economic development and will assist Members to develop and implement their new policy programmes.

Argentina was urged to accept the Falkland Islands’ “expressed, democratic wish to remain British” when its Government’s UK Representative, Ms Sukey Cameron MBE, spoke at the Falkland Islands Annual Reception on Wednesday 16^th June. In her speech, Ms Cameron reiterated the Falkland Islands Government’s determination to play its part in “resisting the colonial aspirations of Argentina”.

 She told guests that the Government’s message was “simple and unequivocal.  We are a distinct community with our own identity and separate Government.  We have the right to self determination, the right to decide our own future, unhindered by any interference from any other government; and our expressed, democratic wish is to remain British.  It is time the Argentine Government accepted that”.

 Over 250 guests attended the Reception, which took place at the Great Hall in Lincoln’s Inn on Wednesday 16^th June. Amongst the guests were several Government Ministers and the Governor Designate, Mr Nigel Haywood CVO.

 - Ends -

Notes for Editors: The text of the Representative’s speech is below. 

Address by the Representative, Sukey Cameron MBE, at the Falkland Islands Government Annual Reception on Wednesday 16^th June 2010 

My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen 

As always, I begin by welcoming you to our Annual Reception and thanking you for your support.  In times of change and uncertainty, it is good to have so many friends.  We are very grateful. 

I should particularly like to welcome the Governor designate, Mr. Nigel Haywood and his wife, Louise.  We hope that he enjoys his new – unique – posting!  His Excellency, Mr. Alan Huckle, leaves the Islands in September; we wish him and Mrs. Huckle a long and happy retirement.

This has been a year of change for all of us but as always, Falkland Islanders have demonstrated their ability to adapt to change and live with the uncertainty that it brings.

Last November saw the first election for the Legislative Assembly under our new Constitution.  A record turnout of nearly 80% produced a completely new Legislature.

At the General Election here, the Falkland Islands lost many loyal Parliamentarians, including the Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group, Sir Nicholas Winterton, who was among those who retired.  We thank him, and all those who served on the Group, for their many years of support.  We look forward to meeting the new intake of MPs and working with the Parliamentary Group when it is reconstituted.

 Like the new British administration, the Falkland Islands Government is having to confront the aftermath of the global economic downturn.  Our budgetary position remains uncertain, not least through reduced fisheries income, reduced investment returns and reduced tourism numbers.

But there is also good news amidst the economic gloom.  We have had a successful season in the Loligo squid fishery and inbound tourism is also showing signs of improvement.

 Fishing, farming and tourism have long been the mainstays of our economy but require further development to remain competitive as income generators.  Our new economic development strategy will sustain our existing industries and stimulate new activity.  At the same time, we shall encourage private sector investment to develop a new port which will support our fishing and cruise ship industries.

 However, the most visible and potentially transformational change to the economy of the Islands, occurred in February this year, with the return of an oil rig to Falklands waters after a twelve year absence.

 The first two wells drilled so far in this campaign have resulted in a gas discovery and an oil discovery. However, it is too early to declare whether these discoveries are commercially viable, and therefore it is far too soon to base any budgetary plans on the assumption of success.  We wish the oil companies well in their endeavours and look forward to further results in due course.

 Disappointingly, Argentina has used the new round of oil exploration in the most unprincipled fashion, to re-ignite its spurious claim to Sovereignty.  In an attempt to gain by economic sanctions, what it failed to achieve by military means, it has torn up the 1995 Agreement which would have permitted collaboration in the search for hydrocarbons. It has reneged on the 1999 Agreement to conserve fishing stocks in the South West Atlantic.  It has imposed a ban on charter flights to the Falkland Islands, and sought to penalise companies wanting to do business in both countries. 

Now, through a Presidential Decree, Argentina seeks to control the maritime access to the Falklands, contrary to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.  Its actions begin to look suspiciously like an attempt at an economic blockade – which President Kirchner herself publicly ruled out during a speech she made in February! 

It is immensely reassuring that the new coalition Government here has taken a strong stance in support of  our right to self-determination and to develop a hydrocarbons industry.  It has it rejected the Presidential Decree and called in the Argentine Charge d’Affairs in London to hand over a Note Verbal.

The Falkland Islands Government is determined to play its part in resisting the colonial aspirations of Argentina.  We have maintained a strong presence in the UK press and Parliament and are increasingly taking our message to the international arena.

 In its first six months, the new Legislative Assembly has sent representatives to Overseas Territories meetings in London and Brussels, CPA meetings in London and the Isle of Man and to the UN Decolonisation Committee Seminar in New Caledonia. Next week, two Assembly Members will address the UN Decolonisation Committee’s annual meeting in New York. From that you will realise that we are doing all we can to get our message out. 

The message is simple and unequivocal.  We are a distinct community with our own identity and separate Government.  We have the right to self determination, the right to decide our own future, unhindered by any interference from any other government; and our expressed, democratic wish is to remain British.  It is time the Argentine Government accepted that. 

Two days ago, we commemorated the Anniversary of the Liberation of the Falklands, when thanks to the courage and dedication of the British Task Force, Falkland Islanders regained their freedom after seventy four days of Argentine military occupation. 

Our gratitude to those who fought for our freedom is unbounded and undiminished. 

Twenty eight years after the war, it is appropriate that we should re-emphasise our wish to seek peaceful co-operation with our neighbours as full participating members of the South Atlantic community,  to ensure that never again will the tragedy of 1982 be repeated.

 I am sure that all of you here would support us in that desire.

 Thank you again for joining us this evening. 

Ends

On the 12^th June, the Falkland Islands cricket team flew to Mexico City to play in Division 4 of the International Cricket Council Americas League. Their matches will take place this week at 7,500 feet altitude in hot and humid conditions. The 13-man squad has been practicing for the last month and on returning from Mexico, will fly out to Scotland, UK in July to play the in the triangular tour of the three Falklands.

(Penguin News)

Since 1982 the area has been a ‘no-go’ zone as mines have been present at various depths but now, after an extensive demining programme, Surf Bay can be enjoyed by Islanders again. Over 30 people joined the Governor to walk the sands in a confidence demonstration last Friday. The Demining Programme Office carried out this pilot phase which will now give the UK Government a much clearer understanding of working through other mined areas.

(Penguin News)

Sukey Cameron, Falklands Government Representative, met Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP last week at a Foreign Office reception. The Prime Minister shared that he had been discussing the Falklands only earlier on that day with Baroness Thatcher and that he would like to visit the Islands, especially as RAF Brize Norton was in his constituency.
(Penguin News)

Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly have received a letter from the leader of the Government in Britain.   David Cameron thanked Members for their recent kind letter of support and warm wishes.  He said he was “proud to lead this historic coalition Government, and reiterated the support of the British Government for the Freedom and Self-determination of the Falkland Islands.”

For more information please contact the Media Liaison Office, Falkland Islands Government at tel. +500 27451 or email  media2@sec.gov.fk.

Together with a donation of £5,000 from the Falkland Islands Government, residents have raised over £26,000 to help towards the rebuilding of 800 homes in the Chilean town of Lolol in the province of Calchagua. Catastrophic damage to the area was caused when an 8.8 magnitude quake hit on the 27^th February this year.

(Penguin News)