MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
British media interest in Falklands veterans
The Falkland Islands visit of the Duke of York and more than 200 other veterans of the 1982 war has been widely covered in the British media, not just in national newspapers and on major television channels, but especially in local newspapers, local radio and regional television. Some radio stations have carried daily reports, interviewing local men recounting their experiences of the fighting.
The focus has been on the value of the pilgrimage and the Falkland Islanders' hospitality in helping the combatants recover from the horrors of war and post traumatic stress disorder. There has been much praise for the way Islanders have welcomed the returning veterans into their homes and their hearts, in gratitude for their liberation 20 years ago.
Newspapers and television have carried pictures of the Duke of York laying wreaths at British war memorials and also at the Argentine cemetery at Darwin. He has been widely reported for emphasising the importance of reconciliation with former enemies.
The visit has also resulted in some articles of a more general nature, focusing on the great strides made by the Falkland Islands in economic development and prosperity, in contrast to comparative economic stagnation prior to 1982, when sheep farming was the mainstay of the economy.
One article predicted a breakthrough in sales of organic food to British and other European markets. It was headlined: "Battle of Goose Pate? or how the Falklands has shed its war torn image to branch into gourmet food". The article, in the mass circulation Mail on Sunday says: "The Falkland Islands could soon be more famous for their goose pate than the Battle of Goose Green?.They are planning to export an exotic range of organic meat, fish and venison to the mother country ?Fishing licences have made them self-funding and the 2,400 islanders are on the verge of making a major breakthrough into the lucrative quality food market by selling their products to UK supermarkets. Their European Union-approved abattoir already exports beef, lamb and mutton to South America along with mussels, oysters and crab?The islanders have also established a reindeer herd to produce venison and plan to market their Upland geese for meat and pate".
The article quotes Falklands Government London Representative, Sukey Cameron, as saying supermarkets have shown great interest in Falklands' products because they are pure and organic. She says: "The prospects for Falklands' finest foods are very good and we are confident we will do well with them".
Harold Briley, (MP) London
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