MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Commemorating Liberation; Falklands case put to UN; Governor-to-be drops in; Former media officer killed in Afghanistan; Petition launched against credits cut; Reddick: sentencing today; Exercise underway next week.

Commemorating Liberation

His Excellency the Governor, Mr Howard Pearce arrives at the 1982 Monument for the Liberation Day parade, accompanied by Captain Derek Clarke of the Falkland Islands Defence Force and Lieutenant Commander John Maskell-Bott, the Civil Military Liaison Officer. Photos from Liberation Day on pages 4 and 5.

Falklands case put to UN

A DAY after the twenty-fourth anniversary of the end of the Falklands War, Councillors Richard Davies and Richard Stevens yesterday implored Argentina to stop focusing on sovereignty and co-operate on issues of joint interest. At a meeting of the United Nations' Committee on Decolonisation (C24) in New York, the pair faced a much larger delegation from Argentina, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Taiana. In rejecting Argentina's claim to the Falklands, Councillor Stevens portrayed the Islands as a modern, mature, vibrant and multi-cultural community and asked, "Why would we want to change our stability or our identity of over 170 years to embrace the alien ideology of a different people?" He told the Committee, "We celebrate 24 years of being liberated this week. We also celebrate our achievements, our confidence and most of all our society as a people. "We would also like to have a normal relationship with our neighbour Argentina." He asked Mr Taiana, "...to engage on the global issues of our region like protecting the straddling species that inhabit our independent areas and to join forces generally to look after the environment." He added, "Surely in today's enlightened world these things should not be forgotten just because of our differences." Councillor Davies spoke of a "cold war" which has developed in the South Atlantic. "We are very disappointed that the current Argentine government appears to have taken steps deliberately designed to damage our economy. Economic sanctions such as refusal of permission for commercial flights to cross their air space, and threats to fishing companies and other shipping interests appear to be part of a deliberate programme. How else can it be interpreted? "We regret the recent failure to hold full meetings of the South Atlantic Fisheries Commission. We regret too the steps which the Argentine government has taken to dissuade its scientists from collaborating in, or contributing to any work in which the Falkland Islands are involved." This "cold war", Councillor Davies said, will not succeed in making Falkland Islanders surrender their rights, adding, "it will only strengthen our resolve." He continued, "The current approach of Argentina will only prevent and delay the progress that we all wish to see. In the last decades most countries in South America have made huge progress in mutual co-operation and peaceful co-existence. This process is not easy, and requires wisdom and determination. It is time for Argentina and the Falkland Islands to make that progress and reap the benefits." Continued on page 3.

Governor-to-be drops in

THE Governor designate, Mr Alan Huckle, is in the Islands this week on a familiarisation visit. Mr Huckle, who is due to take up his position as Governor of the Falkland Islands in August, meets the press this afternoon. Report next week.

Former media officer killed in Afghanistan

AN ARMY officer who recently served in the Falkland Islands has become the first British soldier to be killed in action in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Captain Jim Philippson was Media Operations officer in the Falklands from August 2005 until February 2006. An officer with the Royal Artillery, he joined the 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery after his tour of the Falklands. He was serving with 7 Para RHA when he died on Sunday evening. He was remembered in the Falklands on Liberation Day; during the Service of Thanksgiving in Christ Church Cathedral, the Reverend Paul Sweeting paid tribute to Captain Philippson and expressed the community's sympathy to his family and friends. Commander of British Forces South Atlantic Islands, Commodore Ian Moncrieff, this week commented, "This terrible tragedy has affected members of our community. "We deeply regret the sad loss of life and our condolences go out to his family and to the members of the community who he knew here in the Falkland Islands."

Petition launched against credits cut

A PETITION has been launched against the cut to the Holiday Credits Scheme announced last month as part of the 2006/07 Budget. It was reported last month that the credits (which stood at a rate of 50p per day per adult) would be cut by 50%. Organiser Carol Stewart-Reid has placed the petition in most retail outlets around Stanley and is now trying to obtain a mailing list, "...to enable people in Camp to have their chance to put their signatures on it too." However she added, "If people in Camp wish to e-mail me requesting their names to be put on the list I can do that. " Carol explained why she decided to organise the petition: "As the people we elected to represent us are obviously not bothering to stand up for our rights, then we, the people have to take a stand together and not allow the one thing that benefits us all be taken away from us without a fight." She hopes that councillors will "listen to the people who put them in power" and added, "...maybe then the government could look elsewhere to fill their short fall or mismanagement of funds without taking the easy option." Carol plans to submit the petition to the Governor and councillors by the end of June, "...but that will depend on whether I have managed to get it to the people in Camp and all potential signatories."

Reddick: sentencing today

STANLEY electrician Keith John Reddick has entered a plea of guilty to a further charge of possessing indecent photographs of unknown children in court. This is the second charge against Mr Reddick who pleaded guilty in April to a similar charge. He was then remanded in custody for four days until he was released on bail with conditions that include restrictions on any possible contact with children. Mr Reddick will appear in court today (Friday) for sentencing.

Exercise underway next week

EXERCISE Cape Petrel takes place in and around Mount Pleasant Complex next week. Visitors to the base must be correctly booked in by a sponsor and escorted during the exercise period.

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