News

Elected members criticise unilateral actions by Argentine Government that impede travel and trade

June 21^st 2011, Stanley: The Honourable Dick Sawle MLA and the Honourable Roger Edwards MLA this morning addressed the United Nations Decolonisation Committee in New York.

Both MLAs used their speeches to Committee Members to robustly reaffirm the resolve of the Islands’ government and people to pursue their right to self-determination.  Both MLAs also called upon the members of the United Nations Decolonisation Committee to respect the principals of the UN in respect of countries and their fundamental right to self -determination.

 “Chapter 1 Article 1.2 enshrines the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples,” said the Honourable Dick Sawle MLA. “This is a high principle that the UN stands for and I ask that Committee Members stand by that principle today”.

Both MLAs took the opportunity to outline the elements of the Islands’ current relationship with Argentina, citing a growing number of unilateral moves that have challenged the Islands’ way of life.

“Argentina has broken agreements and attempted to restrict our external communications and economy. The end result is that any bridges that we may have attempted to build between our two countries have been destroyed by this unilateral action”, said Mr Sawle.

During their speeches, both Mr Sawle and Mr Edwards reminded the Committee that there had been no official visit from the Committee chair to the Falkland Islands, despite the previous Chairman having visited Argentina last year. They called for members to be open to listen to all parties in relation to questions of sovereignty.

“Mr Chairman, I would now like to invite you, publicly, to visit the Falkland Islands to see for yourself our unique way of life and freedoms that we enjoy”, said Mr Edwards.

During his speech, Mr Sawle made the following points: 

• The people of the Falkland Islands are united in their belief that they should be left to determine their own future
• The principal of sovereignty is not a question of control over a country, it is one that means that the governed need to respect and accept their government. The Argentine claim does not meet these fundamental requirements
• Unilateral actions such as the 2003 banning of charter flights to the Islands through Argentine airspace have damaged relations with the Islands

 Click here to read the full speech.

 During his speech, Mr Edwards made the following points: 

• The Falkland Islands are self sufficient and self governing except for external affairs and defence
• The Falkland Islands’ people do not wish to see a change from British sovereign status
• The Falkland Islands’ people enjoy a high standard of living and enjoy a highly regarded education system

 Click here to read the full speech.

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

June 14^th, London: The Falkland Islands Government this evening held its Annual Reception at London’s Lincoln’s Inn. Guests this year, included 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.

 In a speech to guests, Falkland Islands Government Representative, Sukey Cameron underlined that the Islands are entering a crucial period in their economic development, and called on the UK Government to continue to work in partnership with the Island’s people in order to create an even more stable economic base from which to grow.

“We intend to build upon our economic successes so that we can maintain economic independence and sustain our quality of life. While economic growth is required for its own sake, it has wider-reaching benefits: with economic strength, we will be less vulnerable to external political pressure and free to determine our future.”

A message from Her Majesty the Queen was also read out to guests, which was followed by the Loyal Toast. The Band of the Grenadier Guards then Beat the Retreat.

Falkland Islands Government Office, London

The people of the Falkland Islands have a right to self-determination, enshrined in international law. We fully support the UK government’s current resolute position, which confirms that the issue of sovereignty is non-negotiable. We seek nothing more than neighbourly relations with Argentina and regret that this issue should once again be raised on the regional stage.  The OAS maintains a longstanding declaration on the Falkland Islands but we note that the wording in this year’s declaration is the same as in previous years – it has not changed, and nor has anything else.

 Office of the Legislative Assembly

Gilbert House

Stanley

 The Falkland Islands Government has moved into the world of micro-blogging. The global phenomenon of Twitter has been rapidly changing the way that we communicate and is widely used by international journalists as an important source of information. Last week saw the inauguration of the Falkland Islands Government Twitter feed in a move designed to allow more people than ever across the globe, access to news and information about, not only FIG business, but about the Islands as well. “Twitter is fast becoming an essential way of communicating with the media and members of the public across the globe. This Twitter feed gives us another outlet to the world and will help us spread a positive message about life here on the Falkland Islands,” said MLA Dick Sawle

 You can follow the Falkland Islands Government on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FalklandsGov

MLA Roger Edwards is currently in St Vincent and the Grenadines attending the Caribbean Regional Seminar on the Implementation of the Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism: Goals and Expected Accomplishments Seminar.  He will be attending the Committee of 24, Special Committee on the Situation with regards to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, with MLA Dick Sawle, 20- 21 June.

Both MLAs will be visiting Washington for briefings/meetings with the State Senate and will also travel to Ottawa Canada for a day to meet with Parliamentarians 22^nd and 23^rd June.

MLA Edwards will then travel back home via Santiago in Chile to arrive on 25 June.

MLA Sawle will travel on to the UK and the Small Island Games on the Isle of Wight to represent the Assembly and to support the Falklands teams.   After a short holiday he will attend the Stanley Services board meeting and the Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in London from 21-28 July. Returning home on 3rd August

 Encl.  Statement by MLA Edwards in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Office of the Legislative Assembly

Gilbert House