MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Baroness Thatcher Declines Falklands Visit.

Baroness Margaret Thatcher has declined an offer to visit the Islands as part of next years 20th Anniversary celebrations. Councillor Lewis Clifton explained the reasons, which were included in a letter from her, at Friday's Legislative Council meeting. Councillors are said to be disappointed by her refusal but understand the reasons.

Abattoir handed over

The abattoir open day was very successful with many visitors from both camp and Stanley. Operations Manager Brian Corner who is now in residence gave guided tours of the building.

It has been officially handed over to the Falkland Islands Development Corporation. That was confirmed by General Manager, Richard Baker, at the development board this morning. He said there had been concerns over the floors which were rectified but they had reserved the right to review this at a future date if problems occurred. He added how four local people had been recruited and four others would be available later in the year.

The incinerator is hoped to be ready by December and Mr Baker told the board how the EU Inspector from Montevideo, was planning to visit the second week of November or the last week in January. More on the abattoir tomorrow.

Health Services Director Response to Director General of WHO's Speech

Health Services Director, Norman McGregor Edwards has said that "as a standalone nation the Falkland Islands would not have or wish to have a research facility to look at major diseases."

He was responding to today's speech by Director General of World Health Organization, Dr Brundtland, in which she said countries need to strengthen their capacity to cope with the consequences of the use of biological or chemical agents as weapons. He added that if a need arose the Islands would link into the capacity of facilities in the UK. And said that the health services department would monitor the situation through those links but no more than usual.

Dr Brundtland said the WHO must prepare for the possibility that people are deliberately harmed with those agents. She told a meeting of Health Ministers from the Western Hemisphere in Washington DC that both proper surveillance and a quick coordinated response are vital if any deliber