MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
“Freedom of Falklands” honour for Armed Forces.
The British garrison is to be granted the rare honour of the “Freedom of the Falkland Islands” in tribute and gratitude for the liberation of the Islands from Argentine invasion and occupation in 1982 and for the continuing defence of the territory.
The ceremony granting the Freedom will take place on June 14th next year, on the 20th anniversary of the surrender of the Argentine forces. The decision was taken by the Falklands Legislative Council at the instigation of Councillor Lewis Clifton, Chairman, and his fellow member of the 20th anniversary organising committee, Councillor Richard Cockwell.
The Freedom of the whole of the Falkland Islands has been conferred only once previously, and that was to former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who ordered the British Task Force to the South Atlantic to re-take the Islands. Baroness Thatcher, now 75, has regretfully declined an invitation to attend the 20th anniversary because, she said, though she is still fit and well, the journey would be too gruelling for her husband, Sir Denis Thatcher (86). She has visited the Islands twice previously, the first time in 1983 a few months after the conflict, and again for the tenth anniversary in 1992.
The freedom confers upon the armed forces the privilege of marching through the islands with bayonets fixed and drums playing!
The Freedom of Stanley (the capital) as distinct from the whole of the Falkland Islands, has previously been given to the Royal Marines, and to three individuals: the late Lord Shackleton, whose reports provided the foundation for unprecedented economic development; London barrister, Bill Hunter-Christie of the Falkland Islands Association, a champion campaigner for the Islands until his death; and Sir Rex Hunt, Governor and Commander in Chief at the time of the invasion.
Individuals are presented with a scroll, saying they have had the freedom conferred upon them. Sir Rex Hunt has also been awarded the freedom of the City of London which confers upon him the ancient and rather quaint privilege of driving a flock of sheep across Tower Bridge, which would be a more appropriate custom in the Falklands, but not done in present day London amidst the city's traffic jams!
Harold Briley, (MP) London
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