MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Prince Edward in the Falklands for week of commemoration

Prince Edwards is welcome by schoolchildren on his arrival to Stanley

The official British delegation to the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands arrived Tuesday to the Islands headed by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, British Armed Forces minister Adam Ingram, Lord Parkinson in representation of Lady Thatcher's war cabinet and the 1982 Governor Sir Rex Hunt.

A week long of commemorations have been scheduled for the delegation of distinguished visitors that also includes MPs, representatives from other Overseas Territories, war veterans from all services and next of kin, journalists and Falklands support groups in the UK. On arrival at MPA the delegation was received by Lewis Clifton, Chair of the 2007 commemoration Committee, Councillor Mike Summers, Gary Clement, SAMA FI and Maria Strange. In the evening there was a welcome reception for the delegation in the Town Hall. On Wednesday the Earl of Wessex is scheduled to embark RFA Gold Rover for a short service and wreath laying at the Welsh Guards and RFA memorials. In the evening he will attend a reception at Government House. The main commemoration is scheduled for Thursday June 14, Liberation Day in the Falklands which marks the date when Argentine forces surrendered in Stanley. Interviewed on his arrival British Armed Forces minister Ingram said the UK remains committed to defending the Falkland Islands 25 years after their liberation. Ingram said that despite commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan Britain still has the power to repel an invasion of the Islands. However he insisted that despite renewed noises from Buenos Aires pressing Argentina's claim and "diplomatic and economic pressure" on the Falklands, there was "no prospect" of a repeat of the 1982 conflict. A total of 255 British servicemen died in the Falklands War, sparked by the Argentine invasion of the Islands in the South Atlantic in April 1982.