Penguin News Update.

Friday, May 7th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Full article

Headlines:
Experts worried by ?tampered' explosives; Visiting Magistrate for the Falklands?; We're going to the Games.
News in brief: Pampuro describes military build up; BFFI becomes BFSAI.

Experts worried by ?tampered' explosives

POLICE and bomb disposal experts are concerned by the discovery of two dangerous devices in a public area. A high explosive mortar and an antipersonnel mine, remnants of the Falklands War, were discovered on top of rocks on Wireless Ridge by members of the Falkland Islands Defence Force exercising in the area late last week. When Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers Sgt Chris Fuller and LCpl Joe Joseph, visited the site, they became concerned as it appeared that the two devices had been placed there by someone and the mine had been tampered with. Chief of Police Dave Morris said the devices were located, "some distance," from the nearest minefield, indicating they had been picked up and moved. Superintendent Morris said such action presents not only a danger to the individuals involved but also to the public and to bomb disposal officers. He said, "Moving ordnance can make it more unstable." He reminded the public: "If they do discover anything suspicious they should leave it in situ, mark the area and inform the Royal Falkland Islands Police or the Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Under no circumstances should they touch it."

Visiting Magistrate for the Falklands?

THE post of Senior Magistrate may be reduced to a part time position to save money. Members of Standing Finance Committee discussed the possibility of changing the post to that of a visiting magistrate, a system used on Ascension Island and St Helena, and increasing the duties of the Justices of the Peace. The Financial Secretary, Mr Derek Howatt, said savings of, "...a a quarter of a million pounds, or part of," could be made over a three year period, if the government did not employ a full time Senior Magistrate Other suggestions from councillors included a one year trial period commencing at the conclusion of the present Senior Magistrate's contract, and a gradual phasing in of the system over the next Senior Magistrate's three year contract. However the Chief Executive, Chris Simpkins suggested that members, "...couldn't make a final judgement without consultation with his Excellency the Governor." Acting Governor Harriet Hall yesterday confirmed the appointment process for a new Senior Magistrate is "well underway". She said the Governor, Mr Howard Pearce, is not part of the interviewing process. "The interview panel consists of Ian Hendry (Foreign and Commonwealth Office Legal Advisers), Lee Hughes (Judiciary Appointments Division of the Department for Constitutional Affairs), Chris Davies (Falkland Islands Government Human Resources) and Sukey Cameron (Falkland Islands Government Representative)." Penguin News asked Miss Hall why the Chief Justice of the Falkland Islands was not included in the interviewing process or, in his absence, another member of the Falkland Islands judiciary. In recent years the Chief Justice has sat on the interview panel. Miss Hall responded, "It is the Governor's policy that officers should not ordinarily be involved in the selection of their successors." She added, "The Chief Justice was invited to be part of the selection panel for the appointment of the Senior Magistrate but has declined."

We're going to the Games

FOR the first time the Falkland Islands will be represented at the Commonwealth Youth Games. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has allocated six places at the Games, to be held in Bendigo, Australia in November 2004, for four swimmers and two athletics entrants. The Falklands swimming team comprises of four of the rising stars from the Stanley Swimming Club, Dion Robertson (13), Edward Freer (14), Hannah Arthur-Almond (13) and Thomas Judd (14). The team swimming team will be coached during the games by Senior Squad Coach, Pam Freer. Roxane Morrison (17) of the Stanley Running Club will represent the Falklands on the track in the 100 metre and 400 metre events. Team manager, Steve Dent said, "The Falkland Islands Overseas Games Association (FIOGA) have been able to very generously offer the team some financial support, however sponsorship is being sought from other companies. "If you or your business would like to become involved in sponsoring this team, then please contact me for more details." He added, "The Falkland Islands Company has once again generously offered to sponsor the official team tracksuits and the team would like to thank them for their continued support."

News in brief

Pampuro describes military build up

COUNCILLOR Summers has deemed comments from the Argentine Defence Minister about the build up of Argentine naval forces in the South Atlantic as, "...circumlocutory Argie speak." Argentine newspaper La Nacion this week quoted Defence Minister Jose Pampuro as saying, "We are re-deploying strategically the Argentine Armed Forces, considering them almost exclusively as a defence force." This defensive redeployment means, "...protecting territory, consolidating some areas that can be described as open spaces, - a growing concept among the world's main powers geo-strategy - which in our country is closely linked to Patagonia." When asked if he believed this was a reference to the Falkland Islands, Mr Summers said, " ...it is typically circumlocutory Argiespeak, and anybody could take for it whatever they wanted to hear. "I am sure the Embassy in Buenos Aires will be interested in the interview and will be anxious to clarify whatever is meant." Councillor Stephen Luxton added, "As always we will continue to keep a beady eye on the activities of Argentina but I don't think this has any military significance for the Falklands given that the Ministry of Defence are committed to maintaining a credible deterrent against any perceived threat from Argentina."

BFFI becomes BFSAI

BRITISH Forces Falkland Islands, better known by its acronym BFFI, is no more. The command of the Ascension Island Base moved from the United Kingdom to the Falkland Islands this week, meaning BFFI becomes British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI). More on page 3.-

Categories: Falkland Islands.

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