MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Let's Tell the Falklands' Success Story And remember the sacrifice for freedom

An upbeat call to tell the Falklands' success story while never forgetting those who sacrificed their lives for its freedom has been made by the Falkland Islands Government Representative in London, Miss Sukey Cameron.

Welcoming hundreds of supporters to the annual London (Lincoln's Inn Fields) reception to celebrate the liberation of the Islands from Argentine invasion nineteen years ago (on June 14), Miss Cameron declared: "In thanking you all for your unfailing help and support during difficult times, we also remember those who gave their lives for our freedom and whom we can never repay. At the same time let us, with your support, honour their sacrifice by demonstrating to all our continued commitment to freedom, democracy and development".

As the twentieth anniversary approaches, she recounted the impressive progress made by the Falklands Islands and its people: "It is said that:' To those to whom much has been given, much shall be asked'. We have received much and, with your help, we have made remarkable progress over the last twenty years. "We need to keep telling that success story and we look forward to sustaining and accelerating that progress during the coming year".

Referring to the British elections and the Falklands elections on November 22, she said the new Legislative Council will inherit a more stable political situation and more optimistic economic prospects than was the case four years ago. The 1999 July 14 Agreement with Argentina, easing travel restrictions and promoting co-operation, has enabled the Islanders "to concentrate on developing our democracy and economy to face the challenges of the future".

Ticking off milestones of progress, she described how the recently-launched Falklands Government three-year plan, the first comprehensive blueprint for development since Lord Shackleton's post-conflict report in the early 1980's, is already being implemented, to achieve sustainable development and diversification, safeguard the natural environment, reverse the population decline in the Camp rural areas, and take the pressure off wool as the main agricultural crop.

A new abattoir, opening in August, will supply meat products for export; commercial farming of reindeer, imported from South Georgia, has begun; and progress continues towards achieving organic status for Falklands farm products within two years. A Falklands" brand mark to ensure superior quality and add to its products will c