MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Mayoral remarks dismissed;
News in brief: Falklands to feature in fishermen film; Expert to visit Islands; Investigation continues.

Mayoral remarks dismissed.

CONTROVERSIAL remarks about the Falklands made by Cesar Mayoral, Argentina's Ambassador at the United Nations, in a recent interview for The Buenos Aires Herald, have been met with mixed reactions from islanders. According to the Ambassador, Falkland Islanders are, "...Argentines just like us," even though they won't admit it and owe what he described as their, "comfortable position," to the erroneous belief by previous Argentine administrations that flattery and seduction would result in the recovery of, "a territory that belongs to Argentina." If Britain did not, "subsidise and aid," the Islands, "it would be impossible for the Islanders to maintain their attitude." If the Ambassador was expecting a fiery response to his remarks from either the British or Falkland Islands Government he was mistaken. Acting Governor Harriet Hall reaffirmed the British Government's stance stating, "The British Government has made clear on numerous occasions the importance of the Islanders' wishes. It is very clear that the Islanders feel British and are British. The UK will support them in their desire to remain so." The Islands' councillors were reluctant to merit the Ambassador's remarks with an official response, mainly because, as one councillors said, it was hard to think of a response suitable to print. As to the suggestion made by Mayoral, "that Islanders are more connected to Argentina than they would like to admit," Councillor Stephen Luxton said, "Falkland Islanders are British by descent and neither our people, nor our country have anything whatsoever in common with Argentina either culturally, historically, linguistically or in any other respect." Councillor Norma Edwards made the point that the Islands had been claimed by Britain and had remained British since before Argentina came into existence as a distinct country. "The reality is that we are people who have lived here for 170 years with all the rights that go with that." She said that Argentina had to learn to recognise this and the fact that the British Government's commitment to honouring the wishes of the Falkland Islanders was firm and would remain so. Councillor Luxton reacted to The Ambassador's claim that, "Islanders' will bears no importance," in an equally dismissive manner saying that it was typical of the Argentine desire to subdue, "...the right to self-determination." Another member of Legislative Council, Mrs. Jan Cheek, said that the Falkland Islanders did not enjoy "a comfortable position" with regard to the attitude of the present Argentine Government, who continued to create difficulties in some, "petty and extraordinary ways." Mrs. Cheek cited the example of the abandonment of the intended visit by a group of next of kin to the renovated Argentine military cemetery at Darwin as indicative of this attitude. Councillor Luxton said that any "comfortable position" Islanders enjoy was due to, "careful and balanced management of the economy," and, "simple good governance," rather than the actions of any previous Argentine administration. Local businessman Stuart Wallace said he had never felt, "flattered" or "seduced" by the previous Argentine administrations but thought that their approach was at least closer to, "...what might be expected of two civilised countries disagreeing." Asked for a reaction to the ambassador's statement, Councillor Mike Summers said, "Mayoral's comments are riddled with untruths and inconsistencies in an attempt to deny the concept of self-determination. He denies that Falkland Islanders have that right, but they are fighting a losing battle. It is increasingly the case throughout the world that self-determination and democratic choice will prevail. And so eventually it will here." Continued on Page 3

News in brief.

Falklands to feature in fishermen film.

A FILM crew is planning to visit the Falklands during the making of a new documentary charting the lives of the Magallanes fishermen; many of whom engage in illegal toothfish fishing. Although the film is being made primarily in Punta Arenas, the crew also plans to visit New Zealand and Australia, as well as the Falklands and possibly South Georgia. US born Paul Sutherland and Sijmond de Wall from South Africa are behind the project, and both have vast experience in filming scientific and environment related matters. The film will focus on the comparisons between the Punta Arenas fishermen and their Indonesian and Chinese counterparts who are forced to take jobs, sometimes infringing the law, to ensure an income for their families. Mr Sutherland hopes to release the film next year. (MP/PN)

Expert to visit Islands.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS consultant Dr Chris Doyle arrives in the Islands on Saturday September 18 for a week's visit to advise the Falkland Islands Government on a number of telecommunications related matters, including proposals from Cable and Wireless PLC for a future upgrade of the Camp telephone system. Dr Doyle will be meeting people and organisations in Stanley and will also visit a number of locations in Camp to meet people and obtain their views. Pete King at the Secretariat is co-ordinating Dr Doyle's programme.

Investigation continues.

THE ROYAL Falkland Islands Police continue their investigation into an allegation of serious sexual assault of a child. A person arrested in connection with the matter has been released on police bail.