MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands Councillors deplore Argentina's “bullying and threatening” tactics.

All eight elected members of the Falkland Islands Government condemned what they called, 'Argentina's bullying and threatening tactics' during a meeting of the Legislature on Friday.

Their response came after several weeks of Argentine Government pressure, aimed at damaging the Falklands economy. Charter flights, by the Chilean airline Lan Chile, between Santiago and the Islands, carrying passengers for cruise vessel tours, beginning from Port Stanley, have been halted, at the insistence of Buenos Aires, as the aircraft fly over Argentine air space. There has also been demands from Buenos Aires for direct air links between the Islands and Buenos Aires. Argentine fishing vessels have been encouraged to operate on the high seas, in an area just outside the Falklands zone, so damaging the Islands prospective stocks of fish which migrate into the Falklands zone, and for which Far Eastern companies pay considerable licence fees. The Argentine Government's tactic could lead Japanese and Korean companies not taking up their licence allocations.

Speaking in the Legislature, Councillor Janet Cheek deplored what she termed, "Argentina's threatening behaviour". She insisted that the Islands Government would not waver under the pressure. "We are adamant we should not be pushed or bullied into any kind of silly compromise (with Argentina)". However she warned Islanders that they must, "be prepared for some inconvenience", which the Argentine Government's tactics might bring.

Councillor Cheek also warmly complimented the British Foreign Office on their stance during the recent exchanges with Argentina. She said, "I welcome the robust line taken by the Foreign Office in accordance with our wishes. We reiterate that we have been fully consulted and informed in recent weeks both here and in London of that firm line that they are taking on our behalf".

Councillor Richard Cockwell also spoke of the backing which the British Government is giving to the Islanders during the current 'crisis', particularly with the charter flights situation. He said, "We have made a firm stand, supported very strongly and in fact led by the British Foreign Office. The sooner Argentina realizes that we will not be pushed or bulled into what they wish, the better. We do not succumb to threats". He urged the Argentine Government to stop their threatening and bullying tactics, saying, "We are neighbours and therefore should be living peacefully and quiet fully in our own Countries".

The Stanley Councillor also thanked the Islands Governor, Howard Pearce, for the positive attitude which he has adopted over the current issues, saying, "I thank His Excellency the Governor who has been strong and supportive on our side, and has been regularly putting the Falkland Islands position to the British Foreign Office and to Buenos Aires".

On the subject of a direct air link between the Falklands and Buenos Aires, Councillor Mike Summers sent a terse message to the Argentine Government, saying "Scheduled flights will NOT be coming from Argentina at any price".

The British Government have repeatedly stated that any future decision on air links to Argentina will rest totally with the Falklands Government.

The Councillor also insisted that recent attempts by Argentina to damage the Islands economy through tourism and fishing restrictions will not lead to any lessening of the Islanders resolve to remain British. He said, "Argentina must realize that their bullying tactics are not going to get them any discussions at all about sovereignty".

Bill Brown - MercoPress, Falkland Islands.