MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands Rebuke of Argentine Intimidation.
The Falkland Islands have delivered a strong rebuke to the Argentine Government for what the Falklands London representative, Miss Sukey Cameron, condemned as “blatant and unprincipled intimidation”.
She warned Argentina that its "bullying and blackmail" are counter-productive, making the Islanders' more determined than ever to assert their self-determination.
She said Islanders' present difficulties pale into insignificance compared to the sacrifices of the 1982 Task Force who fought for Falklands' freedom (against the Argentine invasion). She said: "Our greatest tribute to them must be to resist bullying and intimidation ? as they did".
Her condemnation of Argentina was applauded by hundreds of influential people attending the Falkland Government's 30th annual reception, in London (on Thursday June 17th). She called this annual event "a great source of strength".
She affirmed that recent difficulties would not jeopardise investment in improving life in the Camp outside Stanley nor the high standards achieved in health and education. She declared: "In this, as in our commitment to preserve our freedom, self-determination and self-sufficiency, Falkland Islanders are united".
She said recent months have been dominated by three issues: flights, fishing and finance. "The Argentine government has adopted a more assertive policy, with measures deliberately taken to make life more difficult for Falkland Islanders.
"They have effectively banned all charter flights between South America and the Islands by refusing permission to over fly Argentine territory. They have demanded the introduction of direct flights from Buenos Aires. They have authorised incursions into our fishing zone in order to undermine our fishing industry, at a time when our Illex squid fishery has had its worst ever year. It is hard to imagine more blatant and unprincipled acts of intimidation.
"Bullying and blackmail Counterproductive" "Despite these provocations, our Councillors have refused to bow to bullying and blackmail and we have had robust support from the UK Government and our friends in Parliament, for which we are very grateful. These actions only reinforce Islanders' commitment to the principle of self-determination. The Argentine Government will discover in time that they are totally counterproductive".
This year's £10 million loss in Falklands' fishing revenues has resulted in steps to live within reduced means. Falklands' representatives have been publicising the Islands and their attractions and exploring potential new revenue, such as maximising the number of cruise visitors in the coming season, to exceed last year's record. Despite Argentina's actions, the excellent weekly air link with Chile continues, as do the benefits of the direct air link with the United Kingdom by the Royal Air Force. "So", she said, "visitors can still reach us!"
Miss Cameron continued: "We are exploring the potential for aquaculture, expanding renewable energy sources through harnessing wind power and continuing the search for oil and other minerals, which is experiencing heightened interest from investors.
"Some of the challenges we face may be hindered by what has become known as "the Falklands Factor." However, it was good to see this referred to recently as a positive force, by a local businessman who, at the naming ceremony of a fishing vessel the company had just invested in, despite the downturn in fisheries, said: "Generally when we talk about a ?Falklands factor' we mean the additional difficulties sometimes encountered. But we find too that there is also a ?Falklands factor' which results in valuable advice, guidance and people working together to make things possible."
Miss Cameron welcomed this positive, ?Can Do' attitude as one of the many special characteristics of the Islands and will stand the Falklands in good stead in the months to come.
Preserving health, education and wildlife "Whatever the current financial constraints, we are determined not to jeopardise the investment we are making in the regeneration of the Camp or the high standards of health and education that we have worked so hard to achieve.
"We are also determined to preserve our greatest natural asset, the unique wildlife and environment of our Islands in this, the 25th Anniversary year of Falklands Conservation. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them on their past work and I am sure that you will all support them in their future activities.
"To mark the ratification of the UN Agreement on the conservation of albatross and petrels the Falkland Islands has adopted a national Plan of Action to reduce the incidental catch of seabirds in long line and trawl fishing. This is being actively pursued by Falklands Conservation as part of its Seabird Monitoring Programme.
"Later this year we are delighted that, for the first time, the Falkland Islands will be represented at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Australia. As we anticipate the achievements of our young people, we also salute the achievements of those who sadly are no longer with us and, in particular, Harold Rowlands and Adrian Monk who made invaluable contributions to the Falkland Islands.
"Harold spent 45 years of his life in the service of the Islands as Colonial Treasurer, Financial Secretary and as a Councillor. Among his many achievements he successfully denied the Argentine invaders access to the bank vaults in 1982. Never was the word ?mañana' used to such good effect! As others have said in tribute, he was a good and kind man - - a true original.
"Adrian was the first Falkland Islands Government Representative in London, appointed in the aftermath of the Conflict. This was a particularly difficult time when our future relationship with the UK was still to be determined. He too made a unique contribution. We shall miss them both.
Falklands Will Prevail Miss Cameron concluded: "Current difficulties pale into insignificance compared to the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom and I believe our greatest tribute to them must be to resist bullying and intimidation ? as they did. With your continuing support, I am certain that the positive ?Falklands Factor' will prevail and we will preserve the right to self- determination and self-sufficiency that they bequeathed to us".
The Chairman of the Falkland Islands Association, Sir Rex Hunt, who was the Islands' Governor during the 1982 Argentine invasion, proposed a loyal toast to the Queen, and read out her message of good wishes.
The annual reception was initiated by the Falkland Islands Association in 1974. This year more than two hundred guests included influential Parliamentarians such as the Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram, the Conservative Party Foreign Affairs spokesman, Michael Ancram MP, former Foreign Secretary Lord Hurd of Westwell, who is President of the Falkland Islands Association. Also present were visiting Islanders, including Councillor Ian Hansen, Falkland Islands students, Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence officials, former Governors, chief executives and British Forces Commanders, and members of UK- based Falkland Islands groups. The Chilean Ambassador also there and the Uruguayan Ambassador was represented by the Embassy's Consul.
An impressive performance of Beating Retreat by the Band of the Irish Guards provided a colourful close to the evening. Miss Cameron was joined on the dais by Major General Sebastian Roberts, Officer Commanding London District, and the Armed Forces Minister, for the salute.
Harold Briley - London
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