MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

FIBS Relevant News.

Deputy under-secretary for Americas Visits Islands

Dick Wilkinson, Director of the Americas left the Falklands on the Tri-Star this morning. He joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the mid 70's and has worked in France, Turkey, Spain, Mexico and most recently as ambassador in Venezuela. Five months ago he took over the Director of Americas post. In this capacity as an official at the Foreign Office he is responsible for overseeing British policy towards the whole of the American continent as well as the overseas territories. His job also involves a responsibility for the management and smooth functioning of all embassies, missions and Government Houses throughout the Americas and Overseas Territories. This is how his visit to the Islands came about.

Military Relations with Argentina

In the House of Commons at the end of last month Dr Julian Lewis asked the Secretary of State for Defence to make a statement on Britains military relations with Argentina. Mr Hoon replied "The United Kingdom has a successful defence relationship with Argentina." He said, "We conduct annual defence contact talks, at which we agree on extensive defence contracts programme. This year's programme consists of over fifty items, including places on each others training courses; ship and aircraft visits; exchanges of defence personnel and several visits by senior military officers." Mr Hoon concluded "I visited Buenos Aires in March this year, and the Argentine Defence Minister, Sir Ricardo Lopez-Murphy, visited the UK as a guest of the British Government in July."

Argentine Investment

Staying on a similar theme the Manchester Evening News has reported that British firms are planning to invest approximately £350 million in Argentina's telecommunications and shipping over the next few months. Trade minister Stephen Byers who met with Argentine President Fernando De la Rua in Buenos Aires said he hoped the investments would strengthen relations between the two countries.

42 Applications for Government Accommodation

There are forty-two applications for Government Accommodation on the list this month. Of these applicants, twenty-four are male, seventeen are female and there is one