MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Politicians' Support for Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands representatives attending the two main political party annual conferences in Britain, just ended, have reported a very supportive response, especially from prospective parliamentary candidates who could be Members of Parliament after the forthcoming General Election, expected to be held next year.

The Falkland Islands Government as usual had publicity stands at the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences, distributing documents about developments in the Islands and their rejection of Argentina's sovereignty claim.

Councillors Sharon Halford and Mike Summers and London Government Representative Sukey Cameron met several Government Ministers involved in Falklands issues, including Foreign Office Minister John Battle, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and Armed Forces Minister Jim Spellar, and Conservative "shadow ministers", including foreign Affairs spokesman, Francis Maude, and defence expert Iain Duncan Smith.

Sukey Cameron told Mercopress the Falklands representatives were delighted by the attitude of the politicians and party members. "It was very good, very supportive", she said. They were interested in what is going on, catching up with events in the Islands, and in being briefed by the Councillors".

The Argentine Embassy were also represented by their new Ambassador whom Councillor Halford and Miss Cameron met at a Conservative Party reception. Miss Cameron will be taking another group of Members of Parliament on a Falklands visit soon.

Harold Briley, London