MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

School children welcome Prince Edward (<i>Picture: N. Clark)

Headlines:
Liberation celebrations begin; Massive boost for pilgrims; New Argentine at UN; Rodney joins Wool Company; Travel contest at Expo; What's on this week?

Liberation celebrations beginTHE series of special events organised to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Falklands officially began on Tuesday with the arrival of His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex. School children flocked to the football pitch to welcome Prince Edward as he arrived in Stanley. On Tuesday evening the Royal visitor joined the government's other invited guests and a large group of Islanders at a reception in the Town Hall. Speeches were made by the Minister for Armed Forces, Rt Hon Adam Ingram MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox MP, and Falkland Islands Councillor Mike Summers OBE. Yesterday, the Earl of Wessex boarded the RFA Gold Rover and sailed to Fitzroy, where he attended a memorial service. He then headed to Sand Bay to officially open the wind farm which, when fully operational, will drastically reduce Stanley Power Station's fuel consumption. Pictures next week. Massive boost for pilgrimsTHE visit of two hundred Falklands veterans, widows and children to the Islands later this year has been helped enormously by £404,000 in lottery funding. The Lottery Fund grant to ex-services mental welfare society Combat Stress will go a long way to helping the veterans made their pilgrimage to the Islands in November. Chairman of the South Atlantic Medial Association (SAMA82), Tony Davies said the charity was "delighted" to hear of the funding. "This will go a long way to pay for the flight and other associated costs and will mean that pilgrims will not have the extra burden of worrying about financing their trip." Many people have already been busy raising funds towards the pilgrimage and this money will be ring-fenced for use solely associated with later visits and pilgrimages to the Falkland Islands, Mr Davies said. "Not everyone who has applied to come this November will be able to come because of the sheer number of applications." SAMA82 is now in talks with the Falklands Veterans Foundation with a view to cementing the future of both organisations, Mr Davies said. This includes Project Stanley, the provision of accommodation for veterans in Stanley on land donated by the Falkland Islands Government. The pilgrimage is for all veterans and close family members of some of the fallen, and not just SAMA82 members and is jointly organised between SAMA82 and Combat Stress. Future pilgrimages will be joint ventures by SAMA82 and the Falklands Veterans Foundation. Mr Davies commented, "On behalf of SAMA82 I would like to say how grateful we are for all the assistance and guidance from SAMA82 Falklands including the help and support of all the Islanders and their continued efforts on our behalf. I very much look forward to our coming together in the next days during our joint commemorations." New Argentine at UNFORMER legislator Jorge Arguello is the new Argentine ambassador to the United Nations. His first task will be to support Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Falklands before the UN Decolonisation Committee, or C24, on June 21. Councillors Richard Davies and Ian Hansen will represent the Falklands at the C24. Arguello was the official sponsor of the 'Parliament Observatory on the Malvinas' which actively pursues all opportunities to advance the Argentine sovereignty cause. At the UN, Arguello said Argentina will argue that since the UN General Assembly resolution of 1965, calling for the resumption of dialogue between Argentina and the UK, London has "consistently denied" any form of dialogue on this specific issue. According to the Buenos Aires press, the 'Malvinas Observatory' is now distributing a booklet to all Argentine schoolchildren to promote its case for sovereignty over the Falklands. (MP) Rodney joins Wool Company RODNEY LEE is the new manager of the Falkland Islands Wool Company. Rodney comes from a long-established Falkland Islands family and has been involved in sheep farming most of his life; he also brings to the job experience of selling wool. He will work with David Lambert for the next year developing further the direct sale of Falkland wool into the present and new markets. Rodney will also be able to provide a direct contact locally for farmers on an ongoing basis, getting and giving relevant feedback. He commented, "As individuals, I cannot see how local farmers will have the time, experience or dedication to improve on their present selling systems, let alone look for more efficient ways of marketing their product in an ever increasingly difficult environment." A Wool Company spokesperson described Rodney's appointment as, "...a significant step on the road to moving the Falkland Islands Wool Company on to be a self-supporting company, owned by Falkland Island farmers, run by Falkland Islanders and maximising the income of its members." Travel contest at ExpoINTERNATIONAL Tours and Travel Ltd, in conjunction with LAN, have announced that they will have two free tickets to Punta Arenas to be won at their stand at the Expo on Saturday, June 16. Sally Ellis of ITT says Expo visitors should start brushing up on their travel and geography knowledge as ITT will be running a short quiz throughout the day, with two lucky winners being drawn out of the hat just before the Expo closes at 4pm. Sally said Sir Rex and Lady Mavis Hunt have very kindly agreed to do the honours of drawing the winners' names, "...so please do come along and enjoy the Expo, take part in the quiz and see if you are lucky on the day." What's on this week? June 14(Public holiday) Liberation Day Parade Civic reception Kids' party June 15(Public holiday) West Falkland remembrance June 16Falklands Expo Fireworks and balloon release Gala Dinner/Liberation Ball June 17San Carlos service with HRH