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Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

During the Expo on Saturday, HRH the Earl of Wessex was presented with a penguin (locally made by Kiddcrafts) for his daughter, Lady Louise Windsor. Beaver Scout James Tyrrell and Rainbow Guide Mered

Headlines:
Prince &quotbowled over&quot by Islands; Birthday honour for former AG; Islanders at C24; More Liberation PNs on the way; Coming up next week in Penguin News.

Prince "bowled over" by IslandsIN a personal message to Falkland Islanders, His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex has expressed his gratitude at being included in last week's Liberation commemorations. Prince Edward sent the message the day after he returned to the United Kingdom from his week-long visit to the Falklands, as one of the government's special guests. He wrote: "Undoubtedly each and every one of your guests over the past week will return to their homes with a variety of personal memories. However, all of us have been bowled over by the enthusiasm of your welcome and hospitality. "You also deserve special congratulations on planning and executing such a demanding and varied programme, often tailored to individual needs". "The outcome was a resounding success and I for one felt a sense of great privilege to have been included and to experience the emotions, the passion and the spirit of all the participants, whether islanders or visitors." The Earl of Wessex wished to thank the people of the Falkland Islands, "...for helping me to understand something of the emotions that you feel not just towards the events of 1982, but also subsequently in relation to the veterans and the families of those who died, and what drives you forward. These are complex, but the events surrounding the 25th Anniversary allowed free expression of all with some dedicated to the past and to memories, and others to the present and future". "No one could have left your shores without a very clear sense of your gratitude, your determination and your patriotism and, in so doing, be lifted by your spirit." Prince Edward concluded his message saying, "Finally, and just in case any of you are in doubt, I thoroughly enjoyed my first (and hopefully not my last) visit to the Falkland Islands. Thank you. ?May God bless all those who took part in Operation Corporate and God bless the Falkland Islands". The Earl of Wessex was one of 50 guests invited by the Falkland Islands Government to join in the Liberation commemorations. The other guests included Lord Parkinson, who served on Prime Minister Thatcher's war cabinet, Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram MP, and a number of veterans and families of men killed of the 1982 conflict. Photographer Norman Clark will be displaying his images of the Liberation commemorations in the Jetty Centre on Sunday afternoon.Birthday honour for former AG FORMER Attorney General, Mr David Lang CBE QC, has been awarded a CMG in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, announced on June 16, for services to law in the Falkland Islands. Mr Lang, who retired last year, was awarded a CBE in 1993 for his work as Attorney General of the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. His award of a CMG (Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George) is in recognition of his long service, spanning nearly 20 years, as Attorney General in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. The order was created in the early part of the 19th century to reward service in Malta and the Ionian islands. It has since evolved to encompass any members of the Diplomatic Service and those who render service to UK interests overseas. Mr Lang said he was, "surprised and delighted", when the Governor told him in April that he would be awarded the CMG in the Birthday Honours. He does not intend to travel to London to have the honour conferred upon him but has opted instead to receive it at Government House in Stanley. He explained, "When I received my CBE I went to Buckingham Palace because my daughters were in the UK and I wanted them to be present. This time, I thought I would change from that and have it conferred here, with local people present". Governor Huckle described the CMG as a "fitting tribute" to Mr Lang's, "professional skills, wise counsel and long service as our Attorney General." He added, "His commitment to the Falkland Islands is unchallengeable and, despite his retirement, he continues to work hard on our behalf in helping to draft legislation at a time when the Attorney General?s Chambers are under considerable pressure". Islanders at C24 FALKLANDS councillors Ian Hansen and Richard Davies have been addressing the United Nations Decolonisation Committee (C24) this week. In New York yesterday the two argued against Argentina's claim to the Falklands and its calls for negotiations on sovereignty. In his address, Councillor Davies told the C24 the Argentine arguments were "morally flawed" and, "masked a cynical attempt to justify annexation of their small and peaceful neighbour". He added, "Such colonial attempts have no place in the 21st century. Falkland Islanders have no desire to become part of a greater Argentina." However, at the time of publication the Decolonisation Committee was expected to approve a resolution calling for the governments of Argentina and the UK to resume negotiations, thus helping to find a "peaceful solution" to the sovereignty issue. More Liberation PNs on the way SALES of the Liberation Day edition of Penguin Newshave already raised around £1,700 for the South Atlantic Medal Association. Due to popular demand, a second print run of this edition is now underway and will be on sale by the end of the month. Contact Penguin Newsto reserve your copies. Coming up next week in Penguin News:- Full souvenir coverage of the Royal visit - Pictures from the MPA Open Day - Our boys at Horse Guards: the Falkland Islands Defence Force on parade in London