MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands success story; criticism of Argentina at London Forum

Councillor Mike Summers and Shadow Foreign Secretary MP William Hague

Strong criticism of Argentina's aggressive policies towards the Falkland Islands, renewed assurances of United Kingdom support and protection, and impressive accounts of the dynamic, democratic entrepreneurial progress of the Islands were all themes of a successful Falklands Forum in London this week entitled “Opportunities for the Future”.

Three Falklands Legislative Councillors and business leaders from the Falklands and the United Kingdom told a story of remarkable achievement in almost every aspect of Falklands life impressing hundreds of people attending the Forum, many of them business leaders already established there or with plans for involvement. All-party support against ArgentinaThere were renewed pledges of United Kingdom support by all main political parties for the Falkland Islands against Argentina's sovereignty claim. In the keynote speech, Foreign Office Minister Mr Kim Howells, assured the islanders that the United Kingdom Government's commitment to self-determination is as strong in 2007 as in 1982. "We remain committed to the security of the islands and the surrounding waters and of those who live and work there," he said. "We will continue to work through diplomatic means for closer cooperation between the islands and their neighbours in South America." Importantly his pledge was matched by an equally robust pledge of continuity of this policy if the Labour Government is replaced in future elections by the Opposition Conservative Party, The pledge was given at a House of Commons reception by the Conservative Party's principal foreign affairs spokesman and former leader, Mr William Hague., who said there should be no doubt of bi-partisan support for the Falkland Islanders in rejection of Argentina's claim. This support was echoed by the Chairman of the United Kingdom Falkland Islands All-Party Group in Parliament, Sir Nicholas Winterton, a veteran politician who was a Member of Parliament at the time of the 1982 invasion. He said this was the policy of members of all parties. Argentine "Economic Siege"The Falkland Island Government delegation was led by Councillor Mike Summers, who accused President Kirchner's government of intensifying its "economic siege" and "colonialist ambitions" towards the British overseas territory. Relations with Argentina had worsened so much that deliberate attempts were being made to damage the islands' economy. He cited a catalogue of Argentine actions to disrupt trade and harm the Islands' booming economy especially by banning charter flights over Argentine territory for transport of cruise ship tourists in support of the Falklands tourist industry and by passing new laws to impose punitive fines on foreign companies fishing in Argentine waters which also fish in Falklands waters. He also accused Argentina of exerting "illegitimate pressure" on organisers of t trade fairs to exclude the Falkland Islands. He said the Falklands government is seeking to amend the constitution to strengthen the principle of self-determination for the islanders and frustrate Argentina's attempts to reclaim the territory. Negotiations with the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office aim to place the issue of self-determination in a more prominent place in a revised constitution. Booming economyThe Falkland government's Chief Executive, Chris Simkins, said the "dark cloud of invasion had a silver lining" in that both the islands' population and economy were booming. There were now people from 62 different nations living there, in a population that has increased significantly since 1982, including a sizeable Chilean contingent. The population has almost doubled since 1982 to more than 3,000, and gross domestic product has soared from five million pounds to 75-million. The Forum outlined business opportunities in commercial fishing, aquaculture, agriculture, the environment, mineral exploration and tourism. Despite Argentina's actions in reneging on various agreements for co-operation on fishing, transport and oil exploration, the Forum was given upbeat assessments on all main economic activity by a series of experts, including Councillors Andrea Clausen and Janet Robertson. Fishing, Oil and Tourism develoments The Director of Fisheries, Mr John Barton, stressed the importance of co-operation in conservation of fish species for which the Falklands fishery is respected internationally. He predicted that the new Argentine fisheries laws aimed at penalising the Falklands would not have drastic impact on fishing income, which is the foundation of the economy. Fishing companies would be able to take appropriate action. The Director of Minerals and Agriculture, Mrs Phyl Rendell , described technological developments which could simplify offshore oil extraction. It is expected that oil exploration drilling will resume in the North Falklands basin this year, and drilling could begin in the southern basin next year. There will also be drilling on land in search of gold and other minerals. The attractions of the Falkland Islands for tourists were extolled by Miss Debbie Summers, a tourism development manager, with some superb films and pictures of the abundant wildlife. There is good news on proposed improvements to the airbridge from the United Kingdom to the Falklands operated by the Royal Air Force . Chile, the Latin America neighbour with best relations with the Falklands, has a regular commercial air link from Santiago via Punta Arenas. Medical emergency cases are also flown there or to Montevideo in Uruguay. "Exquisite Islands â€" Pristine Envrioment" A Times newspaper Focus report says the Falklands Government London Representative, Miss Sukey Cameron, wants to impress upon people that the Falklands are "exquisite islands where man and nature exist in harmony in what must be one of the world's most pristine environments". Miss Cameron expresses regret that Argentina has been a shadow over the Islands for whole of her life. She wishes that "something could have been done in 1982 to leave the way forward for a neighbourly relationship, which is what we want". Miss Cameron and her London Office staff were praised by Sir Nicholas Winterton for their excellent work in liaising with Parliament. He also expressed admiration for the woman Councillors, Andrea Clausen and Janet Robertson, for presenting such an attractive image as representatives of the Islands. By Harold Briley, London Pictures, Peter Pepper

Categories: Politics, Mercosur.

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!