MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
20th Anniversary of Liberation ? Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands population was very hopeful that Queen Elizabeth or another member of the Royal Family would enhance the 20th anniversary of Liberation commemorations (the word ?celebrations' cannot be officially used) which will take place on Friday 14 June. It was not to be, although Prince Andrew, who fought in the 1982 conflict, has promised to visit the Islands in November when around 200 British War veterans are due to return.
High on the list of invitees was Lady Margaret Thatcher, but she ?regretfully' declined, citing the age and infirmity of husband Denis for her non-appearance. ?He is too old to make the 18 hours journey from Britain to the Islands on an RAF Tri Star aircraft', she declared. Now she too is grounded!
Whether Prime Minister Tony Blair was ever invited is not know, but for sure the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, the Rt. Hon. Adam Ingram MP will be attending the various Ceremonies arranged to commemorate the British victory, which saw more than 12,000 occupying Argentine troops surrender. The Argentines had invaded on 2 April and 10 weeks later more than 700 Argentines and 255 Britons (including 3 civilian ladies) had died. Britain lost 6 ships and 34 aircraft during the 10 weeks War. Argentina lost 9 ships and 102 aircraft.
Several veterans of the 1982 campaign have been invited back to the Islands by the Falklands Government, for the commemorations. Included in the list is Rear Admiral (Retired) Sam Salt, who commanded the stricken type 42 destroyer HMS Sheffield, the first victim of an Argentine Exocet missile, which caused much devastation throughout the War.
The Falklands populations are generally in a subdued mood as the 20th anniversary of their freedom approaches. Last week there was much rejoicing when England beat Argentina in the World Cup soccer championships, but the forthcoming events on 14 June is for many a time to reflect. Former Director of Civil Aviation 60 year old Gerald Cheek was considered a threat by the Argentine Military authorities because he was a member of the local volunteer Defence Force, the Falkland's equivalent of Britain's Territorial Army. He also refused to drive on the right side of the road as ordered by General Mario Benjamin Menendez, the newly installed Military Governor. He was arrested in Stanley and placed under house arrest, 150 miles away, at Fox Bay farm on West Falklands, along with 13 other possible ?subversives'. ?We secretly listened to a hidden radio, and heard the news of the Argentine surrender from the BBC World Service. At midnight an Argentine Army Major arrived at the house where we were detained, and officially told us that General Menendez had surrendered all Argentine troops. The farm manager, whose house we lived in, played ?Land of Hope and Glory' very loudly on his record-player and we enjoyed a few beers, but I was still worried for my family back in Stanley', said Mr. Cheek. He and the 13 other detainees were helicoptered back to Stanley 2 days later.
64 year old Terry Peck had escaped from Stanley, when he discovered that he too was on the Argentine ?wanted' list. He drove a motor-cycle, walked and got a lift in a small boat, before meeting up with British Paratroopers 80 miles away in Port San Carlos. ?I was preparing for the final assault on Stanley with the Regiment, when news came through on a Military radio that Argentine soldiers were retreating fast from the mountains. The Paratroopers threw away their helmets and put on their maroon berets and gave me one to wear. I had mixed emotions as I saw dense smoke rising from burning buildings in Stanley. I didn't know if my house was still standing or not!' Mr. Peck was later awarded the MBE for his actions.
29 year old David Thompson, who was a 9 year old boy at the time of the Falklands war remembers, 'hundreds and hundreds of Argentine soldiers walking through Stanley, carrying their weapons but with their heads down. They were not speaking to each other and all looked very sad'.
In Argentine an unrepentant General Menendez, Military Governor of the Falklands for just 10 weeks, defended his Government's actions. ?We came to free these people because they were living in a colonial situation, and did not even have a bank. They were forced to give all their money to the British Governor, who then sent their money back to England!'.
Patrick Watts ? Port Stanley
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