MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Governor hosts Argentine kin; Andi brings a new sound to The Trough; Elqui: trial date set for April; First Falklands jigger; Marathon this weekend; Cruise liners sailing in...

Andi brings a new sound to The Trough

THE Trough will undergo a transformation tonight for the first performance of visiting singer/songwriter Andi Neate. The Islands' only late night venue - and home of The Fighting Pig Band - The Trough will adopt a club atmosphere with soft lighting and seating at tables for the audience. A regular at the Glastonbury Festival but performing for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere tonight, Andi Neate is described by Get Rhythm Magazineas having, "...an upbeat, sophisticated air that is easily on par with Beth Orton, Suzanne Vega and Tori Amos." Andi will be back at The Trough on Saturday night when The Fighting Pigs will also be on stage and in the Victory Bar on Sunday night. Photo: Andi Neate with (left-right) guest drummer Kevin George, sound man Ally Jacobsen and Fighting Pigs, Len McGill, Pete King, Tim Cotter and Fred Robson.

Governor hosts Argentine kin.

IN WHAT he described as a "low key visit", the Governor has hosted Argentine next of kin at his home, a move which has upset some Islanders. A group from the Argentine Families Commission flew to the Islands on Saturday in preparation for a service of dedication of the Argentine memorial at Darwin on Tuesday. The visit to Government House, which His Excellency Mr Howard Pearce stressed was, "...not a reception," took place last night. Penguin News received a number of complaints from members of the public about the Governor's invitation. One person who did not wish to be named commented, "I just don't think it's right. In the same week that (Argentine president) Kirchner has been in Chile trying to put a spanner in our works, the Governor shouldn't be opening his door in this way. It's like a sanction from the Queen." The person added, "By no means am I saying we should go out and throw stones at the families but among them are delegates from their government - why should we be putting the red carpet out for them?" Mrs Sheila Stewart said she was "surprised and disappointed" that the Governor chose to host the Argentine next of kin at Government House. She said the same privilege should be offered to British veterans. "As a mark of respect and gratitude, we always welcome returning British veterans to stay with us at our home. This summer we have hosted four British veterans (two helicopter pilots between 11 - 23 December and a member of the Intrepidtogether with his wife from 27 December to 11 January). "Sadly, none of our visitors were invited to Government House; had they been, I am sure it would have been a great honour for them." Trudi McPhee of Brookfield Farm echoed this sentiment. She commented, "If he does it for Argentine veterans, he should do it for all." Mrs McPhee said she was worried about the visit turning into a political issue: "They are here to mourn their dead but this turns it political. Argentina are bound to blow it out of proportion." Mr Pearce acknowledged that the invitation to the Argentine group would not be universally popular with Islanders. However he was clear that the visiting group represents the Argentine Families Commission. "It does not include any Argentine government representatives." He added that when he is aware of visiting British veterans, "...I make a point of inviting them to Government House. Thus most recently I hosted an event for the Welsh Guards veterans who were in the Falklands in late February/early March." He told Penguin News,"I am only aware of those groups which are drawn to my attention... I was unaware of the group referred to by your correspondent." Mr Pearce said he recognises, "...that there are a lot of people who still have very strong feelings about what happened in 1982, rightly so and understandably so." However, he added, "I also recognise the people visiting this week are people who have suffered their own deep personal tragedy through the loss of very close relatives as a result of what happened in 1982 and these are people who have no personal responsibility for what took place then." He said the invitation to visit Government House was a respectful move: "Their family members who lost their lives were also victims of that unacceptable act (in 1982) and I think it is right that they should be shown respect by the community as a whole - and I believe the community as a whole is showing respect - and by myself as Governor. "Inviting them to my house for a low key visit is a proper and appropriate way of showing that respect to them and what they have suffered." The dedication service at Darwin went by peacefully on Tuesday; concern was expressed locally that some might see the occasion as an opportunity to unfurl an Argentine flag, however no attempt to do so was made. The next of kin flew to the Islands aboard the weekly Lan flight. An additional group - including a small contingent from the Buenos Aires press - also flew in to Mount Pleasant in a private Gulfstream Jet owned by businessman Eduardo Eurnekian for Tuesday's service. The aircraft and its passengers left later the same day.

Elqui : trial date set for April.

THE longliner Elquilooks set to remain in Stanley for a number of weeks after the ship's owners and master were each charged with three counts of illegal fishing activity in South Georgia waters. The ship's master, Christian Henriquez Vargas, and the vessel's owners, Geneagles Corporation Incorporated, represented in court by Stanley lawyer Richard Marlor, both pleaded guilty to two charges and not guilty to a third. The case is being heard by the Magistrate's Court of the Falkland Islands but is being prosecuted under the legislation of the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. Representatives of the fishing industry and of the South Georgia Government attended the hearing on Tuesday afternoon. Continued on page 5

First Falklands jigger.

THE first jigger to be flagged in the Falklands is now fishing for illex squid. Protegat, a double-purpose vessel which is both a jigger and a long liner, left Stanley Harbour for the fishing grounds yesterday. Tony Blake of RBC said the company, in addition to having Protegatfish for illex here, hopes to obtain a licence to long line for toothfish in South Georgia. Instead of requiring two vessels for the differing fisheries, with Protegat, Mr Blake said, "...we should get eight months' solid fishing from her - both for toothfish and illex." Meanwhile, the Director of Fisheries says average catches this week are around six tonnes per night. He described this as "pretty mediocre" however he added, "...in view of current prices, they are probably not wholly uninteresting commercially."

Marathon this weekend.

THE inaugural Stanley Marathon, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, takes place on Sunday. Thirty-one men, nine women and thirteen relay teams are entered in the race which is due to begin at the Bank at 10am. Full coverage next week.

Cruise liners sailing in...

PROFESSOR MOLCHANOV will call into Stanley today with 50 passengers on board. She is due to visit Carcass Island and New Island tomorrow. Amsterdam(with approximately 1250 passengers) will visit Stanley on Tuesday.

Categories: Falkland Islands.

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