MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

FIDF Exercise Begins.

The Falkland Islands Defence Force exercise Commando Challenge got under way this morning. The Resident Infantry Company left Teal Inlet at 6am this morning, with the Joint Communications Unit Falkland Islands leaving at 7.30, the FIDF leaving at 9.00 and the Joint Services Police and Security Unit leaving at 10.30. Major Marvin Clarke reports that everyone is OK despite having a rough night due to the bad weather. The route will take the teams into Stanley and they should arrive tomorrow. One of the aims of this exercise is to raise money for the 82 Trust, a local charity set up to assist persons with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of the 1982 war.

Items to be discussed at Next Executive Council Meeting.

The next meeting of Executive Council is scheduled to take place on Thursday 23 November. The agenda will include the following papers for discussion: Charges and Fees in the Registrar Generals Section of the Justice Department, the courtesy flags bill 2000, amendment of the licensing ordinance in light of the results of the consultative paper and the road traffic ordinance concerning coaches, mini-buses and taxis. Alternatives to breath testing for persons with breathing difficulties will also be looked at within the road traffic ordinance as will FIG vacancies for November 2000. Three other items to be discussed are the wool marketing initiative, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation Publishing of Annual Report and the Revised Schedule of Meetings for 2001. As usual the agenda will also include matters that are commercial-in-confidence or of a personal nature.

2% Fuel Surcharge

Through the Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce DHL Worldwide Express has announced today that they are now obliged to add a fuel surcharge of 2% as a contribution to the rise in costs. Dennis Edwards, DHL International (UK) Ltd "Offshore" Manger explained that "since early 1999 world oil prices have moved dramatically upwards and remain at a persistently high level." He said "As one of the worlds largest express carriers, we maintain our own fleet of aircraft, trucks and delivery vehicles and are significantly affected by this rise in costs. Throughout 1999 DHL has mi