MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Penguin News Update.
Headlines:
Blair: ?No sovereignty doubts'; Tsunami Appeal; Canadian delegation to visit; No next of kin on the way.
PHOTO: THE Mount Pleasant Amateur Dramatic (MAD) Society is staging a pantomime performance of Aladdinon Friday 14 and Saturday 15 January. Ticket sales will benefit a hospice charity and the Asian tsunami appeal. More information on page 3.
Blair: ?No sovereignty doubts'
"WE WILL continue to discuss with Argentina issues of mutual concern and benefit to your community, building on recent meetings over shared fish stocks, the Continental Shelf and de-mining, but let me assure you, there is no lessening in our commitment to your security, sovereignty or right to self-determination. "We have no doubt about our sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and their surrounding maritime areas. This position will not change unless you, the Islanders, decide otherwise." So concluded a Christmas radio message to the Falkland Islands by the British Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Tony Blair, recorded for the BBC World Service's Calling the Falklandsprogramme and broadcast, island-wide, by the Falkland Islands Broadcasting Service. Earlier in the programme, Mr.Blair had commented that the Falklands face some tough financial decisions in the year ahead following 2004's disappointing squid fishery, but added that the flagging of new vessels on the Falklands register demonstrated there is still "plenty of confidence" in the future of the Falklands fishing industry. Another sign of confidence in the future and a welcome symbol of reconciliation, Mr Blair said, was the completion, this year, of the monument to the Argentine war dead at Darwin. In contrast to Mr Blair's pro-Falklands speech, on Tuesday the Argentine government ratified its "imprescriptible sovereignty rights" over the Falklands and requested the British government "resumes bilateral negotiations" to find a solution to the conflict. According to the Buenos Aires Herald,the official communiqué from the Foreign Ministry was released to mark the 172nd anniversary of the "occupation" by British Forces of the Islands, "...forcibly dislodging Argentine inhabitants and authorities legitimately established in the Islands." Given the, "...illegitimate occupation which continues, the people and government of Argentina reaffirm once again the undying sovereignty rights of the Argentine Republic over the Islas Malvinas, the South Georgias and the South Sandwich islands and the surrounding maritime spaces," adds the official release. The BA Herald reports that, following United Nations and Organisation of American States resolutions, Argentina urges Britain to "resume bilateral negotiations" and recalls "its permanent willingness" to resume dialogue and calls upon the United Kingdom, "...to show without delay, a similar predisposition towards those appeals from the international community." JF_MP/PN More from Prime Minister Blair's speech on page 2
Tsunami Appeal
AN APPEAL launched in support of aid organisations working in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster in Asia has raised over £7,000 in its first week.
The balance of an account, opened by appeal trustees Keith Biles, Paul Sweeting and Terry Spruce on December 30, yesterday stood at £7,885.47.
Funds raised will be sent to the Disasters Emergency Committee in the United Kingdom, a co-ordinating body covering the work of the British Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children Fund and World Vision, among other relief agencies.
In addition to the money in the bank, a further £2,000 has already been sent by the Falkland Islands Red Cross to the British Red Cross.
Donations may be made at the bank or sent to Keith Biles, PO Box 166, Stanley.
Further information about the Disaster Emergency Committee or any activities relating to this appeal can be obtained from Mr Biles on telephone 21897.
The Scouts have also launched their own project to assist the relief effort, further details of which will be published in next week's edition. News in brief
No next of kin on the way CONTRARY to reports in the Buenos Aires press this week, no visit by relatives of Argentine servicemen killed in the Falklands War is expected in the near future. News agency DYN reported on Sunday that a group was planning to travel to the Falklands in the "coming days" to check on the cenotaph in the Darwin Cemetery which was finished in April 2004 but has yet to be officially inaugurated. However, the Acting Governor, Miss Harriet Hall, yesterday said no approach had been received from Argentine next of kin. She commented, "They are welcome to visit on the Lan weekly flight as normal tourists but we've had no approach about a special visit."
Day trip for Baroness Hopper BARONESS Gloria Hooper has enjoyed a low profile return journey to the Falklands. She was in Stanley with her sister on Sunday, as a day visitor on the cruise ship Explorer II. Baroness Hooper previously visited the Falklands in 1997 along with Lord Montgomery; both were members of the South Atlantic Council at the time. On Sunday she met with Councillors Jan Cheek and Richard Cockwell who later reported, "She was very pleased to be back in the Falklands and to have the opportunity to discuss the present situation with Jan and myself."
For information on cruise ships calling in, see page 3
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