MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update

Headlines:
Third by-election candidate; Overseas medical budget: pace of referrals reduced; Blake to conference; Bomb found at airport; Monsignor Agreiter dies; James Clark Ross arrival marks start of Antarctic season.

Third by-election candidate

A THIRD candidate has confirmed his intention to stand for the Camp seat in November's by-election. Lewis Clifton (right), a former member of the Legislative Council, joins Eric Goss and Ian Hansen in the race for the seat vacated by Philip Miller in September. Mr Clifton said his reason for standing was simple: "A number of Camp constituents approached me in May asking if I would stand, should an opportunity arise. "The opportunity has arisen, consequent of Philip Miller's decision to resign. I consulted with folks before submitting my name for nomination. "I understand from conversations I have had with some constituents that they feel they may not be best represented at this time." Mr Clifton said that although he does not live in Camp, he has a good impression of what life is like. He said, " Having served four years recently as chairman of agricultural affairs, in the previous Legislative Council, I have a pretty good grasp of what goes on in Camp, and what needs to be done to enhance, and secure a sustainable agricultural sector. "I have many years of public service experience, both at the national and international level, to bring to the office of Camp Councillor." He added, "I do not underestimate the workload which lies ahead and I hope that during the next two years I will prove my worth to the Camp Constituency and those who will hopefully vote for me." Mr Clifton will be visiting various destinations on West Falklands over the next few days. He said, "Hopefully these meetings will give constituents an opportunity to question me on many current Camp and national issues. I shall use these opportunities as fact-finding to some degree, so that I can properly set out a manifesto during the coming days." Mr Clifton also plans to meet with residents of East Falklands on a number of occasions before the by-election on November 6. Of these meetings he said, "Again I see this as an opportunity for constituents to discuss with me current affairs and question my commitment and ability to deliver for the constituency."

Penguin News will publish by-election candidates' manifestos in next week's edition

Overseas medical budget: pace of referrals reduced

THE amount spent on sending patients overseas for medical treatment is excessive and the budget must be more tightly managed, but delays to patients will be, "...kept as short as possible," according to the Director of Health and Social Services. A paper to be considered by the Health and Medical Services Committee (HMSC) on Monday says spending on cases sent for long term treatment in the United Kingdom or referred to South America is, "...in excess of what we would expect at this time of year and we must therefore look at managing the budget more tightly." The paper recommends the department looks closely at the, "...routine UK medical treatment overseas." To that end the Chief Medical Officer and his colleagues will shortly start to, "...prioritise medical treatment overseas cases according to clinical need and priority for treatment." Norman McGregor Edwards, Director of Health and Social Services, who prepared the paper for the department, this week, told Penguin News, "We've been reviewing since early July just so that we knew what was going on and could monitor spending which is a prudent thing to do.

Blake to conference

FALKLANDS businessman Tony Blake will be attending the eighth Argentine and British Conference (ABC) in Buenos Aires next week. Mr Blake said he had decided to accept an invitation to the October 24-26 conference because, "I think it's bad for these conferences to proceed without Falkland Islands representation in some form or other." Mr Blake will be addressing the conference on, "...South Atlantic political co-operation on fisheries, energy, tourism and the environment." Mr Blake said the main message of his speech would be, "There is a lot of co-operation already established but there is a requirement for quite a lot more." Mr Blake said he has met with, "...councillors and heads of the relevant departments," and he will also be speaking to the Governor before he leaves for the conference. The cited aims of the ABC are: - to encourage further understanding and contact between Britain and Argentina; - to provide an unofficial but influential forum for exchange of views and ideas of mutual interest; -to improve the flow of information between the two countries.

Bomb found at airport

STANLEY airport staffs were evacuated from their workplace yesterday afternoon after a 1,000 pound bomb was found metres from the aircraft hangar. The bomb, a remnant of the 1982 war, was discovered by workers digging foundations for a new fuel store. Officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD) attended the scene and a wide area around the airport was cordoned off. At the time of going to print, EOD were hopeful they could make the bomb safe on Thursday afternoon, but were preparing to work through the night if necessary.

Monsignor Agreiter dies

IT IS with sadness that we announce the death of former Falkland's priest, Monsignor Tony Agreiter. Monsignor Agreiter died peacefully on Wednesday evening in hospital in Bozen, Italy. A memorial Mass for Monsignor will be held at St Mary's Church on Saturday, October 25 at 5.00pm.

James Clark Ross arrival marks start of Antarctic season

THE British Antarctic Survey (BAS) summer season officially began this week with the arrival of research vessel James Clark Ross in Stanley. The JCR will head to South Georgia and Bird Island to deliver passengers and equipment and return to the Islands toward the end of the month. The Dash-7 and two twin otter aircraft are scheduled to arrive at Stanley airport from Montevideo on Sunday.