MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Happy Birthday Your Majesty; Councillor unfazed by ?anti-Falklands' Argentine fishing bill; No bill for rower; Iceland opportunity; Public Family Bill discussions.

From the people of the Falkland Islands on the occasion of the 80th birthday of Her Majestic Queen Elizabeth II. Happy Birthday Your Majesty.

THE Falkland Islands celebrates the 80th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen tomorrow with a parade and public holiday. The government is to contribute to the occasion through its inclusion in a colour publication marking the life and times of Her Majesty. The Falkland Islands Government's representative in London, Sukey Cameron, will prepare the half page article for the publication, which is being produced by the Royal Commonwealth Society. Ms Cameron said the article will send, "...the loyal greetings of the people of the Falkland Islands to Her Majesty on her 80th birthday." As with every year, a parade to mark the occasion will be held at Victory Green tomorrow morning. Sadly, this year's parade will be a quieter affair than usual as the military are unable to provide a band for the parade and, for the first time in over twenty years, the saluting guns on Victory Green will remain silent. Major Peter Biggs, Officer Commanding of the Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) said that the guns will not be fired due to a shortage of ammunition within the military. He explained, "Because of high use of blank saluting gun rounds during the Trafalgar celebrations there is now a shortage, and the Ministry of Defence suppliers were unable to re-supply the FIDF in time for the Queen's Birthday parade." The 21 gun salute will however still go ahead; it will be carried out by three four-man detachments firing volleys of blank 5.56 rounds. "There will be 21 volleys fired in all, and the timings will be exactly the same as those scheduled for the normal gun salute," Major Biggs said. The firing detachments, which will be drawn from the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and FIDF, will fire the volleys from a position on the north side of the saluting gun platform. Major Biggs commented, "The 21 volley system will give spectators something new to see, and I hope to have an adequate supply of saluting ammunition in time for next year's parade." Weather and operational commitments providing, the 21 volley salute will be followed by a fly past.

Councillor unfazed by ?anti-Falklands' Argentine fishing bill

A PROPOSAL by an Argentine senator to hike fines against Falklands-licensed vessels is "not overly concerning," Councillor Mike Summers has said. Senator Mario Daniele has presented a bill proposing tough sanctions on foreign-flagged vessels caught in Argentina's Economic Exclusion Zone operating with what he described as "illegitimate" licenses extended by the Falkland Islands Government. The South American press yesterday reported that among the moves proposed by the bill is an increase in fines on Falklands vessels caught illegally fishing from the current maximum of one million Argentine pesos (equivalent to US $300,000) to six million pesos. Responding to the reports, Councillor Summers said he was "not overly concerned" by the bill: "It is a proposal from a Senator to amend a piece of legislation. These have come and gone over the years with little actual effect." He said that some elements of the proposals which seem to specifically target Falklands (British)- flagged or licensed vessels would likely be contrary to international law, "...and I would expect the Senate would baulk at that." Argentine efforts to persuade Spanish fishing companies not to fish in Falklands waters, "...have, over the years, come to naught," Councillor Summers added. "In all likelihood this latest proposal will have the same effect." PN/MP

No bill for rower

THE man who embarked on a doomed mission to row single-handedly around Antarctica earlier this year will not be billed for his rescue. Colin Yeates had to be rescued by the Fishery Patrol Vessel Doradain February after embarking for the second time on his mission; his attempt ended in failure hours after he began, just as his first attempt did in December. The government's Chief Executive, Chris Simpkins confirmed this week that Mr Yeates will not be billed for his rescue. "Whatever our views as to the wisdom of his venture, the rescue was treated as a case of saving life at sea, and it has not been policy to raise charges for such events." The cost of using Doradais, "...the opportunity cost of what else it might have been doing on the day," Mr Simpkins said. In terms of charter fees, the government pays the same every day regardless of use. There is a variable cost component in fuel consumption but on the day in question a gunnery exercise with the Defence Force was in progress, and, Mr Simpkins said, Mr Yeate's rowing boat proved to be "a useful target" and therefore, "a number of objectives were achieved." He added, "Hopefully, Mr Yeates will give very careful consideration before embarking on any similar venture."

Iceland opportunity

THE Falkland Islands Tourist Board (FITB) has secured a bid for funding from a European organisation to allow 12 people from the Falkland Islands to undertake a tourism ?learning journey' to Iceland. The project has been made possible by the award of a Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility Grant (with ?top-up' assistance provided by FITB and FIDC) and provides a chance for the people from the Falklands to visit Iceland on a 16-day exchange visit in June. The visit will cover study tours to various parts of Iceland, lectures and presentations from recognised experts, as well as participation in workshops. The Tourist Board is now inviting individuals who are interested in securing a place on this Study Tour to contact Connie Stevens immediately for further details and an application form. The cost per person will be just £250 for a 14 day ?all inclusive' trip to Iceland.

Public Family Bill discussions

THE Select Committee on the Family Bill meets in the Court and Council Chamber this morning at 9.00am. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting.

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