MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands ?Commemorates ? 20th Anniversary of Liberation

The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has joined the Falkland Islands population; ?in paying tribute to the courage of the British Forces' which liberated the Islands from Argentine occupation, 20 years ago. He said that, ?Twenty years on they are showing similar courage around the world ? in Afghanistan, in Sierra Leone, in the Balkans. As we remember the heroism of twenty years ago and of today, our thoughts must not be only with the servicemen and women directly involved, but also with their families'.

However Mr. Blair, during a special message broadcast by the BBC World Service, said that the 20th anniversary was, ?also a time to remember the Argentine victims of the conflict'. ?The approval by your government of a memorial (at the Argentine War Cemetery at Darwin) to the Argentine dead is an impressive gesture of reconciliation', he said.

Hundreds of Islanders and British troops defied the deep winter's snow to attend a special service of remembrance held at the Liberation Memorial, where the names of all 252 British Servicemen and 3 civilian ladies, killed during the 10 weeks War, are engraved on brass plaques. The name of all 119 ships that were involved in the recovery of the Islands, appears on the 22-foot-high plinth of polished granite. More than 700 Argentineans died during the 10 weeks war, which began on 2nd April when Argentine Forces invaded the Islands.

A special feature to mark the 20th anniversary of Liberation involved the granting of, ?The Freedom of the Falkland Islands' to members of the Armed Forces. Prime Minister Blair described the ceremony as being, ?a fitting tribute to those who fought in 1982, and to those who still serve far from home to ensure your security and to defend the causes of freedom and justice around the world today'. Only Lady Margaret Thatcher, who ordered the dispatch of the British Task Force South, has previously been honored with the Freedom of the Falklands. The Liberation Memorial appropriately stands just in front of ?Thatcher Drive'!

The British Minister of Armed Forces, The Rt Hon Adam Ingram MP, and the Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General J Reith CB CBE joined the Commander British Forces, Commodore Richard Ibbotson DSC RN and the Falklands Governor Mr. Donald Lamont at the head of the Liberation Memorial.

Many veterans of the 1982 campaign attended the ?commemorations' as invited guests of the Falkland Islands Government. They laid wreaths as a piper played the lament, ?The Flowers of the Forest'. Among them was Brigadier (Ret'd) David Chaundler OBE, the man who parachuted into the Falklands to take over command of 2 Parachute Regiment, following the death of Colonel ?H' Jones V.C. during the Battle for Darwin/Goose Green. Also present was Rear Admiral Sam Salt whose ship H.M.S. Sheffield became the first victim of an Argentine ?exocet' missile attack, on 4th May 1982. He said, ?As you look at the Falklands today how could you ever doubt that it was all worth it, and I was very proud to be a part of it'.

Brigadier (Ret'd) David Morgan OBE who commanded the Ghurkha Rifles in the Falklands war, said, ?It was a very poignant moment and gave me a chance to reflect on what could have been and what eventually turned out to be. I am very proud to be here'.

Another veteran of the War, Brigadier (Ret'd) Roderick McDonald MBE said, ?It was a great privilige to have the opportunity to be here today and share this time with the people of the Falkland islands, and remember those who gave their lives to prove that freedom does not come easily'.

Another guest was Captain (Ret'd) Robin Green DSC of the Royal Fleet Auxilliary (RFA) whose ship ?SIR TRISTRAM' was one of two ships (the other being ?SIR GALAHAD') which was severely damaged by Argentine bombing at Fitzroy on 8 June. 50 men, mostly Welsh Guardsmen died in the attacks. Captain Green in a private ceremony laid a wreath at the RFA memorial at Fitzroy.

In his message on Liberation Day, Prime Minister Blair praised the 2,300 Islanders for the progress that has taken place during the past 20 years. He said, ?Since your freedom was restored, you have been determined to shape your own economic and political future. The Islands are a vibrant, forward-looking community with a well-managed economy. Your system of government is growing into a mature democracy, linked in partnership with the United Kingdom'.

However his conciliatory tone towards Argentina, 20 years after the War was also evident as he spoke of being, ?committed to working with Argentina in addressing its serious economic difficulties. It is to everyone's benefit for Argentina to be a stable, prosperous democracy, willing and able to play a full role in the International community. And we will support Argentina's efforts to achieve those goals'.

In Argentina the former Military Governor of the Islands, General Mario Benjamin Menendez, speaking to French Culture radio, insisted that the Argentine Government had invaded the Islands, ?in order to free the people from British colonialism'. He emphasized the under-estimation of the British response, saying, ?It began as a small military operation of the "recuperation of the Malvinas" ? we did not envisage all out war ? the British reaction ? and the reaction of the United States and United Nations in not supporting Argentina'. ?We wanted make life better for the population', he added.

Former Chief of the Argentine Army 68 year old Lt. General Martin Antonio Balza, who was Commander of the 3rd Artillery Battalion that fought on Tumbledown mountain in 1982, spoke bitterly of Argentina's, ?total incompetence in strategic and political terms. We expected the USA to be neutral ? that was another example of our incompetence'. 20 years on he said that he was, ?Proud to have been told by British Troops that they (Argentines) had fought well on Tumbledown'.

In Stanley on Friday as the civilian and military populations went off to party at a massive civic reception, to be followed by a host of private parties, the reassuring words of Prime Minister Blair were being broadcast over the local Radio Station. ?We are absolutely clear that the sovereignty, security and right of self-determination of the Falkland Islands and its people are not open to negotiation or compromise. The Islands will be British for as long as you wish them to remain so'.

Patrick Watts ? Port Stanley