MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Penguin News Update.
Headlines:
Handing over command; Director looks forward to New Year change; Visiting officials' passports must be stamped; Forbes v FIG; Ships cruising in.
Handing over command
PICTURED: The new Commander of British Forces in the Falkland Islands, Air Commodore Richard Lacey (right), bids his predecessor, Brigadier Jamie Gordon, farewell at Mount Pleasant airport. Air Commodore Lacey, a helicopter pilot who has served with the Royal Air Force for over thirty years, will be sworn on to Legislative Council this morning. The Commander is accompanied on his Falklands tour by his wife, Cate. (Photo: MPC Photographic Section.) l Live coverage of Legislative Council can be heard from 10.30am on the Falkland Islands Broadcasting Station.
Director looks forward to New Year change
THE new Director of Agriculture and Minerals says she is, "...very much looking forward," to taking up her expanded role. Phyllis Rendell, presently the Director of Mineral Resources, begins her new post in early January. The current Director of Agriculture, Peter Johnston, leaves the Islands later this month to return to his home in Australia. In the past few months, Mrs Rendell says she has been working closely with Mr Johnston, "...in order to get an understanding of the issues in agriculture. "I've attended staff meetings and met with Steve Pointing to discuss veterinary matters and Neil Judd who is to fill the post of Senior Agriculture Advisor in January. "I've met with the Rural Business Association (RBA) and Falklands Landholdings managers. "I've been to West Falkland with Peter and Neil to meet farmers which was very helpful and I hope to get out to Camp with the Agriculture staff whenever possible to learn more and talk to farmers." Mrs Rendell said, "I'm very much looking forward to my new responsibilities." She added, "Peter is a hard act to follow. My involvement is only possible because of the excellent work that he has done during his time as Director in carving out a pragmatic ten year strategic plan for agriculture in the Falklands. "All the staff in the department, the RBA and farmers are familiar with its objectives and its delivery is my main challenge. "I welcome working with a very professional team of people to help make farming a profitable business." Mrs Rendell explained the Mineral Resources Department staff will be staying in their present office in central Stanley and the administrative function for Agriculture will join them. Mrs Rendell said, "Glynis King has kindly agreed to transfer to the Minerals Department and Steve and Neil will coordinate reception cover in Agriculture so there will be no change in service for customers. "We will be keeping farmers in touch with these changes through the WoolPress."
Visiting officials' passports must be stamped
NO VISITING Argentine official will be allowed to enter the Islands without having their passport stamped, a Falklands councillor has confirmed. Argentine newspapers Clarin and La Nacion yesterday reported that the Defence Minister, Jose Pampuro, plans to visit the Islands along with the Foreign Minister, Rafael Bielsa, for the inauguration of the Darwin memorial, expected to take place in late February/early March. Mr Pampuro is reported to have said that Mr Bielsa hopes to negotiate an agreement with London to permit the two officials to enter the Islands without their passports being stamped.* However Falklands councillor, Richard Cockwell, says if the pair visit, they will be treated as any foreign national. Councillor Cockwell said to date the government has had no requests for such a visit, "...and I am confident the British government would not enter into any such negotiations as are alleged to be taking place, without consulting the Falkland Islands Government." No Argentine government officials have visited the Islands since 1982. Councillor Cockwell said, "We have no established policy regarding visiting dignitaries however any foreign national who wishes to visit the Falkland Islands has to go through the standard immigration procedures, including having their passport stamped." He added, "If a request for such a visit was made, councillors would obviously have to discuss the matter. "If it was agreed that they might visit, I cannot see there being any change in the standard policy, they would have to go through the same procedures as anyone else." Clarin says the Argentine Foreign Ministry is "surprised" by Mr Pampuro's declarations.
Forbes v FIG THE final order was made last week in the Gordon Forbes vs Falkland Islands Government case. Nick Sanders, sitting as Acting Judge of the Supreme Court, ordered that the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) pay 80% of Gordon Forbes (Falklands) Limited's costs in connection with the case. In August this year, the Court rejected the government's application to set aside an order made by the arbitrator in proceedings which were taking place in Scotland. This was in connection with a long-standing dispute over money allegedly owed by FIG to Gordon Forbes (Falklands) Limited relating to the East Stanley development. Since August, both parties have made representations to the Court on the issue of costs, both arguing that the other side should be responsible for the costs of the case. The recent order now means that FIG has to pay both its own costs and also pay 80% of Gordon Forbes' legal costs. The judge noted that FIG had been unsuccessful in its overall application and, in normal course, as the losing party would pay all the other side's costs. However, taking into account the conduct of both parties in the case both before and during the court hearing, and in particular the conduct of Mr Taylor who was Gordon Forbes Ltd's solicitor in Scotland, the court felt that the costs payable to Gordon Forbes should be limited to 80% of their total claim. Gordon Forbes (Falklands) Limited now has three months to agree the amount of those costs with FIG, or to submit their bill to the Court for assessment in a process known as taxation of costs.
Ships cruising in IT'S another busy week for the Falklands cruise industry. Today, Orionwill call at Carcass and West Point Islands. On Saturday, World Discoverer will be at Carcass and West Point and Hanseaticwill call in to New Island and Carcass. On Sunday World Discoverer will be at Long Island before heading into Stanley. Hanseaticwill also be in Stanley. Norwegian Crown will be in Stanley on Tuesday, as will Explorer II and Europa.On Wednesday, Explorer II will head to New Island and Europa will be at West Point Island. Andrea will be in Stanley. Vistamar will spend Christmas Day (Thursday) in Stanley.
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