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Prince's Falklands tribute to Argentine dead

Prince's Falklands tribute to Argentine dead (Telegraph); Prince's Falkland Tribute (Sky News); Prince pays tribute to Falklands dead (BBC); Falklands Duke pays respects to Argentina's war dead (Ananova)

Prince's Falklands tribute to Argentine dead ? Telegraph

A wreath is to be laid at a cemetery many islanders did not want. 235 bodies are there, in a desolate spot hidden from view, writes Richard Savill in Port Stanley. From the road it is signposted but otherwise it is difficult to know that it exists. The cemetery is hidden from view from the Falklands settlements of Darwin and Goose Green, at the request of the residents. Today, however, the Duke of York, who served as a Navy pilot during the Falklands war, will make a point of visiting the Argentine cemetery, 60 miles from Port Stanley, and lay a wreath. His simple act of remembrance is a visible gesture of reconciliation 20 years after the war. No British VIP made an official visit to the cemetery until 2000. Ministers have since laid wreaths but the Prince will be the first member of the Royal Family to do so. Islanders see it as a further step towards rapprochement with Argentina and part of an attempt to ensure democratic government is maintained in Buenos Aires. The Falklands council recently approved an Argentine designed memorial for the cemetery. However, a compromise had to be reached on the size because it was considered too garish. About 750 Argentines died in the conflict, most of them at sea. Half of the graves of the young conscripts are unidentified. Some of the white wooden crosses carry the words: "An Argentine Soldier Known unto God." But it was not just a faceless enemy. Others bear names like Alberto, Raul and Guillermo. The graves are decorated with rosary beads. There is a photograph of one young man in his best suit and another in a bow tie. Explaining his action, the Prince said he believed it was important to pay his respects to all those who died during the campaign. "I lost friends and colleagues and I know what it must be like for the great many Argentines who have shared the same experience." There has been no formal protest by the islanders. Patrick Watts, a resident and the former head of Falklands Radio, said: "I think the majority will feel it does not indicate Prince Andrew is pro Argentina or that he believes they have any right to the Falklands. So they will see no real harm in it." Today, the sheep shearing shed, where the Argentine prisoners of war were housed, still bears the painted letters PoW. In the community hall there is a framed letter from Margaret Thatcher sent on Jan 14, 1983 thanking the residents for her visit. Most of the residents at the time of the war have moved. However, among those that remain, there is resentment. Bobby Smith, 47, a shepherd, who was one of those held prisoner by the Argentinians, did not approve of the cemetery. The decision to lay a wreath "was a matter for Prince Andrew" but the cemetery "is far too close", he said. A shearer, Steven Dickson, 28, agreed. "The cemetery should never have been put here. They should have sent the bodies back to Argentina." Government officials in Port Stanley said offers were made after the war to repatriate the Argentine bodies. However, they were refused because Argentina wanted to keep them on the islands. "They felt it was their bit of soil," said an islander. The main focus of the Prince's visit is Remembrance Sunday when he will take the salute and lay a wreath at the main war memorial in Port Stanley. Two hundred British veterans, who are re-visiting the battlefields, will join him.

Prince's Falkland Tribute - Sky News

The Duke of York has paid a moving tribute to the British servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives liberating the Falkland Islands 20 years ago. With 200 other veterans of the 1982 Falklands War, the Duke solemnly laid a wreath of red, white and blue flowers at the island's Liberation Monument in the capital, Port Stanley. Against a windswept and desolate backdrop, the Queen's second son, a Royal Navy helicopter pilot in the war, stood to attention in quiet meditation. Falklands veterans, standing behind him, proudly wore their South Atlantic medals bearing testimony to their own personal sacrifice. Sorrow The hardened faces of former-Marines and ex-Paratroopers could not disguise their sorrow. Most of the veterans returned for the first time. They included representatives of the Army, Navy and Airforce and family members of those who were killed. Andrew was a young sub-lieutenant during the war, flying on anti-submarine missions and mounting casualty evacuations against the Argentinians. Reconciliation He returned to serve in the Falklands in 1985. In 1994 he visited Argentina in a gesture of reconciliation before acting as host to Argentina's president Carlos Menem when he came to Britain four years later. The former Royal Navy helicopter pilot, who left the Navy last year with the rank of commander, will take the salute on Remembrance Sunday, honouring British war dead, at the Falklands Cross of Sacrifice in Stanley. During the Falklands War the British suffered 255 dead, including three islanders, while Argentina lost 712 soldiers, sailors and pilots.

Prince pays tribute to Falklands dead ? BBC

The Duke of York has paid his respects at the graves of Argentinean soldiers killed in the Falklands War. It marked the first time a senior British figure has publicly recognised the sacrifice of those who fought as Britain's enemy in the 1982 conflict. Earlier the Duke paid a moving tribute to the British servicemen killed in the battle to liberate the Falkland Islands. His four-day trip to the South Atlantic islands will involve him taking the salute on Remembrance Sunday in the capital, Stanley. Prince Andrew - who was a Navy helicopter pilot in the war - said his return to the Falklands was "poignant and emotional". Wreath "This is not exactly closure but being able to pay my respects for something I was part of when I was a young man is important," he said. He had just placed a wreath at Darwin Cemetery on the Falklands where 234 Argentinean soldiers are buried. "The important thing, again, is reconciliation. I think that after 20 years it's time we moved forward and not look back," he said. Before visiting the graves, the Duke joined 200 fellow veterans at the service at the island's Liberation Monument. There he laid a wreath of red, white and blue flowers and stood among rows of fellow Falklands veterans for prayers and hymns. One veteran read a poem while scattering red poppy petals and a bugler sounded the Last Post signalling a minute's silence followed by Reveille. Most of the ex-servicemen were returning to the islands for the first time and were joined by the families of their dead colleagues. After the service the Duke in naval uniform and wearing his South Atlantic medal, spoke to fellow veterans exchanging recollections of 20 years ago. During the Falklands War the British suffered 255 dead, including soldiers, sailors and airmen as well as three islanders. Argentina lost 712 soldiers, sailors and pilots. During his visit, the Duke will visit Goose Green, site of one of the fiercest battles of the 1982 war. The Duke will also take the salute on Remembrance Sunday, honouring British war dead, at the Falklands Cross of Sacrifice in the capital Stanley. The 42-year-old, who left the Royal Navy last year as a commander, is joining hundreds of other ex-servicemen who fought to liberate the Falklands from Argentinean occupation. Gesture of reconciliation As a sub-lieutenant in 1982, Andrew flew on anti-submarine missions, casualty evacuations and acted as a decoy for Exocet missiles launched by Argentinean aircraft against British ships. He returned to serve in the Falklands in 1985. In 1994 he visited Argentina in a gesture of reconciliation. He acted as host to Argentina's President Carlos Menem when he came to Britain in 1998. He flew from Chile to RAF Mount Pleasant for the events on Friday. Before leaving the South American mainland, he visited Chile's Escuela naval school and called on the Chilean navy's commander in chief, Admiral Miguel Vergara.

Falklands Duke pays respects to Argentina's war dead ? Ananova

Prince Andrew has paid his respects at the graves of Argentinian soldiers killed in the Falklands War and spoke of his personal pilgrimage to the South Atlantic. He was a helicopter pilot in the 1982 war and said his return to the Falklands was "poignant and emotional". "This is not exactly closure but being able to pay my respects for something I was part of when I was a young man is important," he said. Andrew has also placed a wreath at Darwin Cemetery on the Falklands where 234 Argentinian soldiers are buried. He is the first senior British figure to recognise the sacrifice of Britain's enemy 20 years ago. He said: "I think it's tremendously important to come down at this particular moment because it's the 20th anniversary. Having got here, it doesn't actually seem like 20 years since the fighting down here. "The important thing, again, is reconciliation. I think that after 20 years it's time we moved forward and not look back. This is another opportunity to pay my respects to those who died fighting for this wonderful piece of country." The Duke said that some years ago during a visit to Argentina he had the opportunity to honour those who died aboard the Argentinian cruiser General Belgrano. He added: "I've just been to Blue Beach where Colonel H Jones is buried. He was the same age as I am now," said the 42-year-old Duke It was a very poignant and emotional moment. It's important to come back and pay respects."

Source UK Media