MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lady Thatcher marks anniversary at St Paul's Cathedral

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher marked the 25th anniversary of the Falkland Islands War at a small, private ceremony in St. Paul's Cathedral Monday evening. She was joined by Sukey Cameron, Falkland Islands government representative in London, as well as members of the church's staff.

Lady Thatcher stood in silence during the brief ceremony to remember the 255 Britons who died during the 74-day war. She laid a wreath of yellow and white roses, lilies and orchids bearing the message: "In memory of those who have given their lives for Britain and for the Falklands Islands". Sukey Cameron also laid flowers at the Falklands memorial at St Paul's Cathedral. At the service Lady Thatcher wore a long black coat and black shoes and stood with her head bowed as Canon Lucy Winkett offered prayers, and did not speak for the duration of the ceremony. The ceremony is one of many planned throughout the year in remembrance of the 74 days conflict, which also claimed the lives of some 650 Argentine and three Islanders. Britain is planning to mark the anniversary of the conflict with a memorial service at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel and a parade in front of Buckingham Palace in June, the month in 1982 when the Argentines were finally defeated and ousted from the Falklands. Earlier in the day Prime Minister Tony Blair met Falklands' veterans on board HMS Liverpool at the Rosyth dockyard in Fife. "I was honoured on my visit to HMS Liverpool to meet some of those who courage and professionalism served this country so well, 25 years ago," he said. "It's a day to reflect on just how much, as a country, we owe to our armed forces," he said. Mr Blair presented the ex-servicemen - from the Scots Guards and Royal Navy - with veterans' badges and certificates. HMS Liverpool, a Type 42 destroyer, has just undergone a three-month refit and is set to return to active duty. Among those meeting Mr Blair was Lt Com Nigel Smith, who was an able seaman on board HMS Active in 1982 - when he was just 19 years old. Others included retired Navy officer Bill Gossam MBE, Scots Guard Paul McLaughlan, from East Lothian, and Ian Kaye, from Aberdeen, who took part in the battle of Mount Tumbledown. Mr Blair was taken on a tour of the ship, watching a simulated air defense exercise and a demonstration of fire fighting techniques - many adapted from lessons learned during the Falklands War. Although Britain and Argentina restored diplomatic ties in 1990, the status of the Islands which have been claimed by Argentina since 1833, remain a source of tension. Argentine President Nestor Kirchner has strongly lobbied the United Nations to support new sovereignty talks over the Islands. (BBC/MP).-