MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' continue to progress, in spite of Argentina

The Falkland Islands will continue to strive for self sufficiency and the right to self determination and looking ahead to next year's 25th anniversary of the war with Argentina invites to reflect how much has been achieved since, a fitting tribute to the courage of those who enabled Islanders to regain liberty.

That is in essence the message from the Falklands Government Representative in London, Miss Sukey Cameron, in her speech to the annual gathering Tuesday evening of hundreds of Falkland Islands supporters in London, marking the anniversary of the Islands' liberation from Argentine aggression and occupation June 14, 1982.

Baroness Margaret Thatcher and Minister for the Armed Forces, Adam Ingram MP were guests of honour with the band of the Welsh Guard playing retreat in the Great Hall of Lincoln's Inn, in Central London because of the rain. Other guests present included MPs Sir Nicholas Winterton and Andrew Rosindell; Sir Rex Hunt who next June 29th turns eighty; Martin Reed chairman of SAMA 82; Councillor Mike Summers; David Tatham chairman of the Falkland Islands Association plus war veterans, families of men who lost their lives in the conflict, former officials and military commanders in the Falklands, Islanders living in Britain and young Islanders studying in Britain.

Former Governor Tatham and successor to Sir Rex as chairman of the Falkland Islands Association proposed a toast to the Queen and read her message of greetings to the reception, which was in reply to the loyal greetings sent to Her Majesty on her eightieth birthday.

In her speech Miss Cameron pointed out that it had been a year of progress and consolidation with a strong improvement of the Islands economy following the return of squid after two years of hardship. This has enabled the government to approve a budget with an estimated surplus of almost one million pounds for the coming financial year and with the private sector extremely buoyant with two thirds of the local companies planning to grow their business.

Islanders, said Miss Sukey Cameron, were particularly encouraged by the recent visits of the Minister for the Armed Forces, Adam Ingram MP and Chief of General Staff, General Sir Mike Jackson, who gave assurances there would be no reduction in the British forces deployed in defence of the Islands.

Self government was further consolidated in last November's elections with five new and three sitting Councillors been elected and progress in the review of the Constitution emphasizing on improving transparency and accountability.

And "all this progress has been achieved without the co-operation of our Argentine neighbours who continue their attempts to undermine us at every opportunity", underlined Miss Cameron adding that threats of reprisals against foreign fishing companies, with Argentine interests, seeking licences in Falklands' waters, "are a provocative attempt by the Argentines to destroy the mainstay of our economy".

But "they will not succeed", emphasized Miss Cameron who revealed that the Falklands had enjoyed a record year with over 90 cruise vessels carrying 45.000 visitors to the Islands during the last season with prospects of an even more successful next season, in spite of Argentina's continued ban to charter flights from the mainland.

Miss Cameron's speech in full:

Baroness Thatcher, Minister, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen:

As always, I am delighted to welcome you all to our Annual Reception. The Governor recently said that clocks in the South Atlantic seem to go faster than elsewhere. Well, it doesn't feel like year since our last Reception, so I can certainly endorse that sentiment!

A lot has happened over the past twelve months. It has been a year of progress, consolidation and, I am pleased to report, an improvement in our economy following the difficult economic conditions of the last two years.

That period was particularly hard for our fishing industry, with low catches in one of the squid fisheries and a significant loss of revenue. So it is gratifying to note that this year, catches of squid have improved markedly. In fact the total catch of fish in May was the highest for five years. Consequently, the Government has been able to develop its economic and financial strategy with cautious optimism for the future, and a budget producing an estimated surplus of almost £1m has been approved for the coming financial year.

The recovery has given a boost to our business community which is again extremely buoyant. According to a recent survey, two thirds of our companies are planning to grow their businesses in the next twelve months. What a difference a year makes!

We have also been encouraged by the recent visits of the Minister for the Armed Forces, Adam Ingram MP and Chief of General Staff, General Sir Mike Jackson, and the assurances they gave that there would be no reduction in the forces deployed in defence of the Islands. The Minister's remark that the Islands are "a tremendous training area" was music to our ears and a riposte to those who still mistakenly think that there is no benefit to Britain of a military presence in the Falklands.

With these assurances, and the support of our Parliamentary friends at Westminster, our democracy continues to flourish. In November we held our elections. There was no shortage of able and articulate candidates, and five new and three sitting Councillors were elected. The incoming Council has wasted no time in progressing the review of our Constitution ? with particular emphasis on improving transparency and accountability - as well as developing initiatives to respond to the challenges facing the farming community.

All this progress has been achieved without the co-operation of our Argentine neighbours who continue their attempts to undermine us at every opportunity. The threats of reprisals against foreign fishing companies, with Argentine interests, seeking licences in Falklands waters, are a provocative attempt by the Argentines to destroy the mainstay of our economy. It will not succeed.

Despite Argentina's continued ban on charter flights from the mainland, the number of visitors to the Islands continues to increase. Our tourism industry has enjoyed a record year, with over 90 cruise vessels carrying 45,000 visitors to the Islands during the last season. The early signs are that next season will even more successful.

Throughout the times of uncertainty, which have seen setbacks and progress, insecurity and stability, apprehension and confidence, our supporters have loyally stayed with us. The United Kingdom Falkland Islands Trust, which celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, has provided great support, primarily in helping to develop the agriculture sector. We are extremely grateful to those who have served on the Trust during that time.

As we look to the future, we must never forget that we live in one of the most beautiful, unspoilt areas of the world, and we have an obligation to preserve and protect the natural resources that surround us. Earlier this year, we hosted our first International Conservation Meeting, organised by our own Falklands Conservation. Representatives of nine territories and countries discussed ways to conserve the Albatross and Petrels of the region. This week the Annual meeting of the Antarctic Treaty takes place in Edinburgh. A number of our friends and supporters, who would otherwise be with us tonight, are attending the event. It is gratifying that the Falkland Islands continues to play its part as an important staging post for the invaluable work of the British Antarctic Survey.

As you know, this year marks the 80th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen ? and I am delighted that Councillor Mike Summers and I will able to represent the Islands at the National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's this Thursday. There is also another very important 80th Birthday this year. On 29th June one of our staunchest and most loyal supporters, Sir Rex Hunt, celebrates his birthday. I am particularly pleased that he and Lady Hunt are with us this evening.

In July we must, sadly, bid farewell to our present Governor, His Excellency Howard Pearce. In addition to his other achievements, he accomplished a first by being the only Governor to marry in the Islands! We wish him, his wife and daughter well in the future. He will be replaced by Alan Huckle who arrives with his wife in August. Mr Huckle was most recently Governor of Anguilla.

Looking further ahead, plans are progressing here, and in the Islands, to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands War, next year. We are working with the Ministry of Defence on plans for the National Commemoration which will take place on Horse Guards Parade on 17 June. This will be a fitting tribute to the courage of those who enabled us to regain our liberty.

Our primary focus will rightly be on those who fought in the Conflict. Our progress towards self-sufficiency in the Islands conveys our resolve that their sacrifices should not be in vain. Your continuing support shows that their commitment to self determination lives on. So I hope that the media will not only remind us of the events of twenty five years ago but take a little time to reflect on why they took place and the steps that have been taken since, towards achieving these ideals.

Reflecting on the War with Argentina and the coming commemorations, General Sir Mike Jackson said: "I hope both countries will, with dignity and respect, look back and remember those who fell. And I hope both countries are clear that this is not the way to resolve an international dispute."

That is also our hope.

Every year when I welcome you to this event, I am struck by the numbers of people who turn out to support us. It is a tribute to your loyalty and a huge boost to our morale. We shall always be grateful, but we will never take that support for granted. On behalf of everyone in the Falkland Islands, I thank you.

London, 13 June 2006