MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update

Headlines: Uncertain future for racecourse; Lord Triesman replaces Falklands' friend Rammell at FCO; Desire identifies ?dual targets'; Sth American/Arab declaration.

Uncertain future for racecourse.

RACING fans are becoming concerned they may lose Stanley racecourse, as leases on the course expire in approximately nine months' time and no plan to secure its future is yet in place. Jockey Elaine Turner summed up the concerns of her colleagues: "I'm worried that if we don't put pressure on the government, they'll think they can just slide it away from us. We can't let that happen. "The loss of the racecourse would affect everyone in the community, not just jockeys and horsey people." The Falkland Islands Company (FIC) owns most of the course and leases it to the Stanley Sports Association (SSA). The remaining part of the course is owned by the government (FIG) and is leased to the Sports Association. The leases are due to expire in February 2006. The government's Chief Executive, Mr Chris Simpkins, this week assured, "...FIG has no current plans to determine the lease of that part of the racecourse which it owns." Initial discussions were held early last year between the government, FIC and another landowner to explore methods of possible development of West Stanley, including the racecourse area. At that time, the possibility of a land swap with FIC - so that the whole of the racecourse would be owned by FIG - was identified. However Mr Simpkins says to date, that option has not been further explored, "...since FIG has been conducting a more wide-ranging review of its housing strategy, including the identification of other areas of land which are more easily capable of development." Mr Simpkins added that work has begun on a Development Brief for West Stanley, "...which will stimulate further discussion on the racecourse which is likely to stimulate a review of the allocation of the racecourse for housing development. Whilst I cannot predict the outcome of any such review, I am certain that the expressions of concern for the retention of the racecourse will be very carefully considered." Following the meeting in 2004, a working group was set up to carry the issue forward. However for some time, no progress seems to have been made. As February 2006 looms, members of the Stanley Sports Association are keen to secure the racecourse's future. Yesterday afternoon, the Environmental Planning Officer, Dominique Giudicelli, received a letter from the SSA Chairman, Owen Summers, asking for a progress report on the working group. Ms Giudicelli told Penguin Newssaid she is looking into the issue and hopes to be able to address it in next week's edition. Photo: Stanley racecourse plays an integral part in the Falklands' traditional calendar of events.

Lord Triesman replaces Falklands' friend Rammell at FCO.

LORD David Triesman is the new Foreign Office minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories (OTs). His appointment followed the launch of the Labour Government's third term in power. Lord Triesman has been appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, replacing Mr Bill Rammell, who has moved to a new appointment as Minister of State (Universities) at the Department of Education and Skills. Councillor Norma Edwards yesterday said she "knows nothing" about Lord Triesman but added, "I'm sure that he will continue to give us the support we've had from the Labour government in the past. I sincerely hope so." Councillor Mike Summers said that, despite some preliminary research, he did not have a lot of knowledge of Lord Triesman or his background, however he commented, "...if he follows the same robust line as his predecessors on Argentina we will be happy. "I believe he may have spent some time in the Department for International Development and will therefore have some existing knowledge of Overseas Territories, though maybe not the Falklands. We have requested a meeting with him if possible in June when (councillors) Stephen Luxton, John Birmingham and I will be in London." Councillor Edwards said she is sad to lose Mr Rammell: "Of all the people I've met who have held that position, Bill Rammell has so far been the best. He had a genuine interest in the Overseas Territories." A spokesperson for Gilbert House said councillors have written to Mr Rammell to congratulate him on his new appointment and, "...to thank him for his genuine interest in the Islands and for all his hard work for OTs during his term in the Foreign Office." Continued on page 3.

Desire identifies ?dual targets'.

DESIRE PETROLEUM says it has identified a number of "dual targets" within its seven drilling locations on Tranches C and D in the North Falkland Basin. The oil exploration company reported yesterday that at four of the seven locations, dual targets have been identified, resulting in eleven prospects in total. "These prospects have a potential of over two billion barrels of recoverable oil." Additionally, further recent interpretation of the 3D seismic data has yielded a further five prospects. "Three of these can be tested at the drilling locations already identified. In addition, numerous less well defined leads have been identified which will require further work before they can be moved to prospect status." Dr Ian Duncan, Desire's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The more we work on the 3D seismic data, the more prospectivity we see in this basin. "The identification of these five new prospects means that, in the planned three well drilling campaign, all of the wells will have dual objectives.'

Sth American/Arab declaration.

ARGENTINA'S protest against the inclusion of the Falkland Islands in the European Union Constitution has continued to grab world headlines this week. Now, South American and Arab countries have backed Argentina's call that the Falklands should not be termed British Overseas Territories in European Union documents as Argentina still lays claim to the Islands. Reutersreported on Tuesday that a declaration has been signed calling on, "the Republic of Argentina and the United Kingdom to resume negotiations in order to reach, as soon as possible a peaceful, fair and lasting solution to the sovereignty dispute about the Malvinas question." Councillor Norma Edwards yesterday responded, "Argentina needs to realise the reality of the situation, that we are a British territory; only then can we negotiate." She added, "It's very difficult, anyway, to negotiate with a government that won't even talk to us."