Thursday, June 14th 2012 - 19:06 UTC

Falklands’ conflict “very much alive in the collective memory”

UK Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne has spoken of his admiration for the Falkland Islands people on the thirtieth anniversary of the conclusion of the Falklands conflict.

Jeremy Browne at the Liberation Monument Ceremony (Photo: PN)

Representing the UK Government at commemoration services in the capital, Stanley, Mr Browne has also met members of the Falkland Islands Assembly and heard how they are building their economy and developing their communities to improve local facilities.

Some of those living on the Islands can trace their family back nine generations, and all believe the area's improving fortunes are testament to the self-determination in which they passionately believe.

Mr Browne's visit also marks a time to reflect on the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for freedom. Speaking ahead of the Liberation Day Service at Christ Church Cathedral, he said:

“I am honoured to be here to remember the members of the UK Armed Forces who fought, and the many who died, in the Falklands conflict. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten. It is the reason that the people of the Falkland Islands are able to choose their own future today.

”The people living here now either remember the conflict themselves or know somebody who does. It is very much alive in the collective memory. We should not forget the reasons for our presence here or the right of the Falkland Islanders to decide their own destiny. This is a fundamental right. Thirty years on, the principle of self-determination for the Falkland Islands people remains as important as it ever has.”

After the service the Minister attended the Liberation Day Parade, involving both members of the British Armed Forces and local residents. The parade included a 'freedom march', stressing the rights of all peoples to liberty and justice. This right was emphasised on Tuesday when the Falkland Islands Government announced a referendum on their political future.
 

Published in: Politics, Falkland Islands.
Tags: Falkland Islands, Falkland Islands Government, Jeremy Browne, Liberation Day Parade.

17 comments Feed

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1 cornishair (#) Jun 14th, 2012 - 07:18 pm Report abuse
LIBERATION DAY says all that needs to be said really........
2 reality check (#) Jun 14th, 2012 - 07:22 pm Report abuse
Saw it on the News, snowing, cold and the seas very choppy. I expect it brought back many memories to those veterans who travelled down there for the ceremony, god bless em!
3 Martin Woodhead (#) Jun 14th, 2012 - 07:26 pm Report abuse
Liberation Day exactly
Liberty having control over their own actions.
Which the islanders have.
They don't want or need argentina .
Although maradonna could always do some floor mopping i guess :)
4 PirateLove (#) Jun 14th, 2012 - 07:40 pm Report abuse
Full respect for those who weathered the ceremony, thoughts are with the brave men and their families that paid the ultimate price a long way from home to bring freedom to the lives of the people.
5 BethnalGreen (#) Jun 14th, 2012 - 07:47 pm Report abuse
I echo everyone else's sentiments on here, but add that I admire the collective wish of the Islanders to make the sacrifice the forces gave worth it by making their country prosperous and independent!! Let's never forget the deaths of the soldiers from both sides though... Many of them were young and will still be missed greatly by their families to this day. :(
6 Conqueror (#) Jun 14th, 2012 - 09:08 pm Report abuse
Too right it's alive in the collective memory!
The Falklands WILL be FREE.
The Falklands WILL be British as long as the Islanders wish.
Come on, South America, IF you think you're HARD enough!
7 Tabutos (#) Jun 14th, 2012 - 09:33 pm Report abuse
RIP you will not have died in vane we will make sure of that!

Rip all that died in the conflict

Falkland for the Falkland islanders forever!
8 Islander1 (#) Jun 14th, 2012 - 09:42 pm Report abuse
Yes it was the weather the veterans knew up on the mountain tops alright! Heavy wet snow from before the start until the end - but you should have seen the kids - young Falklands cubscouts,girlguides and cadets each held a wreath for all the dignitaries, and they were quiet and still and respectfull - despite being frozen and soaked!
9 briton (#) Jun 14th, 2012 - 09:43 pm Report abuse
They will be remembered ..
10 claudio_laplata (#) Jun 14th, 2012 - 11:06 pm Report abuse
Suppose that in the building where you live, suddenly 5 armed immigrant families, seize 5 departments. It is logical to make a vote years later, the descendants of those families, to“determine if they own” or to express their opinion about legitimate owners, whether or not they have rights on the properties?
11 stakeholder (#) Jun 15th, 2012 - 12:03 am Report abuse
Claudio, are you a pure-blooded descendant of the indians who inhabited the La Plata region before the Spanish arrived? As a descendant of armed immigrants, you question your own right to vote, own property or live in Argentina. I am honestly interested in why Argentines deny islanders' self-determination when they themselves are immigrants. Any honest answers would be appreciated.
12 KFC de Pollo (#) Jun 15th, 2012 - 12:03 am Report abuse
@10 repeating the same crap? This is not the case in the Falklands. The islands were not seized they were taken back by the brits.
13 Alexei (#) Jun 15th, 2012 - 06:39 am Report abuse
Congratulations to the Falkland Islanders on their Liberation day and 30 years of freedom. Respect to the memories of those who died liberating the islands rom the despicable Argentine invasion, of which many Argentines are apparently still so proud.

I'm wondering how that vile president of theirs managed to wangle a public platform to spout her idiotic nationalist pseudo-history at that silly committee at the UN, on Falkland Islands' Liberation Day, of all days. Coincidence? Still, the bitter skulking malvinists, despite their very best efforts, didn't spoil the party. In fact KFC's revolting performance did nothing but remind us of Argentine covetousness and malice, and why the British forces that freed the islands are still there. Cheers Argentina, nice one!
14 UKOwnsArgentina (#) Jun 15th, 2012 - 11:54 am Report abuse
Please support this new page aimed at covering Falklands current affairs and keeping the Falklands free of Argentine rule! Please sign in and click the “like” button on the page to subscribe to our news feeds -

www.facebook.com/Britain1592
15 PatM (#) Jun 15th, 2012 - 10:06 pm Report abuse
It will never be forgotten!!!! There were 255 lives of British servicemen lost in this conflict and we always remember our own where ever they are in the world! “ LEST WE FORGET”
16 reality check (#) Jun 16th, 2012 - 01:52 pm Report abuse
I watched the news about the ceremony. A lady Falklander was interviewed, she had lived under the occupation, say the exact same thin, she would not forget. I do not know this ladies name, it was not given. I do recognise her however from a documentary program on the war. This particular lady, I wish I could remember her name! I really do, organised tractors and landrover to ferry ammunition to our guys and bring back the wounded. She drove a landrover in the dark, over rough terrain not knowing if it was mined. She said, she would never forget. Well who ever you are my love, thank you, you are by far one of the bravest women I have ever seen and I will not forget you either.
Ex 1982 Serviceman.
17 Pete Bog (#) Jun 17th, 2012 - 11:00 pm Report abuse
@10 If you are referring to January 1833, say so.

The civilian occupants in 1833 had a majority of settlers who were from now what is Argentina but there were also 2 brits, and 2 germans amongst them. As these were linked to Vernet's commercial venture (the USA kicked him out for piracy in 1831), which had permission from the British Government, they were allowed to stay. The illegal garrison for which Britain had protested was ejected. I laughed when I discovered it was made up of nearly 80 % British Mercenaries (ie not of UPot RP origin). Also it was partly made up of people that had murdered the garrison commander in front of his family some of which were subsequently executed by firing squad by the BA authorities. So to recap, and this is so embarrassing to Argentina that they will not reveal it to the world, civilians who were mainly from the United Provinces of the River Plate freely chose British rule( they were given a choice), chose to stay, apart from 4 who chose to leave, and most of the ejected military were British (not South Americans), mercenaries.

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