MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Self determination and firmness in relating with Argentina
Falkland Islands general election came along with a few surprises: only two members of the previous government retained their seats in the Stanley constituency, and in the Camp only one was returned.
The results as follows: Stanley Constituency Result:
Richard Davis 546 Michael Summers 477 Andrea Clausen 466 Richard Cockwell 302 Janet Robertson 299 The above 5 candidates were elected to the Legislature.
Other votes were as follows: John Fowler 276 Eric Goss 276 Janet Cheek 275 Michael Forrest 261 John Birmingham 240 Phillip Middleton 139 Kevin Ormond 110
Stanley voters elected 3 new Councillors with two ladies Janet Robertson, who is married with two children, and Andrea Clausen, a young married mother, being joined by Richard Davies an English doctor. Only two members of the previous Government, Michael Summers and Richard Cockwell retained their seats. The biggest loser was John Birmingham who polled just 240 votes this time finishing in 10th place in the field of 12 candidates.
On the Argentine long-standing claim to the Falklands, all newly elected members expressed their views to the Mercopress correspondent.
Janet Robertson, who holds joint Argentine and British nationality, when asked what her policy towards Argentina would be said, 'We know who we are and what we stand for and we just have to remain firm. The Falkland Islands are for the Falkland Islanders and we know that and I don't see anything particularly changing unless Argentina is willing to concede that principal of self-determination to us.'
Richard Davies who polled an amazing 546 votes said that 'The Islands should be more assertive in stating their right to self-determination and should talk to other Countries in South America, putting our views across to them, as they only ever hear the Argentine views'.
Michael Summers who said that no progress had been made at all during the past 4 years with the present Argentine Government said, 'I can't see the Argentine Government changing its attitude in the short-term and I can't see us changing our attitude. The big issue will be what happens next year when the drilling for oil starts, and what reaction the Argentines will have to that'.
Richard Cockwell, one of the two members who retained his seat said, 'We have to be very firm and straight in our approach with Argentina, but at the moment I can see no change'.
Andrea Clausen, whose parents emigrated to the Falklands in the 1970's, said, 'With the current Argentine Government being as hostile as it is we have to firmly stand our ground and they have to respect our right to self-determination, and I don't see that there is ever going to be any negotiation on the sovereignty issue'.
Camp constituency results: Ian Hansen 188 Mike Rendell 139 Richard Stevens 121
The above 3 candidates were elected.
Other votes cast as follows:
Roger Edwards 91
Phillip Miller 86 Patrick Watts reporting for Mercopress.
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