MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Hot News from Stanley.

High Fuel Prices.

International oil prices have soared to their highest level since the 1991 Gulf War and have affected the price of fuel all over the world including the Falkland Islands. Stanley Services had to increase their fuel prices on the 1st of September and at the Legislative Council meeting on Friday Councillor Luxton described the latest fuel increases as a "blow to the farming community." .Mr Tony Heathman of the Estancia said that at the moment it doesn't affect them as they are on 24-hour wind power, but it will make it hard once they start doing their spring work. Tractors use over two gallons of diesel an hour when rotovating and this can add up to over 20 gallons for a day's work. Mr Philip Miller of Cape Dolphin Farm said it is absolutely diabolical and where is it going to end. They are lucky as they have a wind turbine, which saves on diesel, but still need fuel for heating. He feels sorry for those without wind power. Mandy Alazia of Port Edgar Farm said that they also have a wind turbine but they still have fuel costs for the farm vehicles so this increase will mean even higher expenses this year. Tim Miller of Stanley Growers said that as a point of interest the fuel bill for just heating their two greenhouses is over £350 a day, which is £2,450 per week. Fuel prices reached a low in February of 1999 but since then the cost of fuel on the Rotterdam Market has increased by 245 percent and suppliers have had to pass the increases on. Unlike in the Falkland Islands, fuel overseas is usually heavily taxed, often 75 percent of the retail price is government tax.

Fisheries News

Strong gales and blizzards hit the Falklands during week end. Fisheries report that most of the fishing boats are riding the gales out at sea. The Frio Antarctic left Port William to hove to 25 miles offshore while the Sierra Laurel and Igueldo are still moored alongside FIPASS

Dr. di Tella in the Islands

For the second consecutive year former Argentine Foreign Minister, Dr Guido Di-Tella has booked a holiday to the Falkland Islands. Last year he did not make the journey, however Government House has confirmed that they know of the planned visit, wh