MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines: A closely fought race; Drug men don't have to leave; Seabed survey; FIDC boss goes; Quartet of cruisers; Good Friday.

A closely fought raceThe two men who led the Stanley marathon the whole way, Hugh Marsden (left) and Simon Almond run past Government House on the final leg of the race. Over the last mile, Simon raced ahead, going on to win the marathon one minute and thirteen seconds ahead of three-time winner Hugh. Turn to centre pages for more. Drug men don't have to leaveAPPLICATIONS for deportation orders have been refused by the Senior Magistrate for two men who were jailed for importing a small quantity of cannabis resin into the Islands. Alison Thompson announced her decision after a two week period of deliberation. She said Saint Helenian-born Meshara Yon and Alan Francis had both been in the Falklands for more than six years and had long term partners and family here. The cannabis they imported between them amounted to 112g, (about 4oz), and it was never argued by the Crown that the drug was for anything other than their personal use. There was some dispute about the proportion of the drug that each man was to get following the importation but this was not relevant to sentence, said Miss Thompson, adding that the gravity of the offence was in the plan to import the drugs. She added that the court had taken account of the need for a deterrent element to the sentence and despite both men being of previous good character, a sentence of greater severity than would in all probability have been handed down in the UK was imposed - although it was accepted that the UK had downgraded the classification of cannabis from "B" to "C". Miss Thompson said it was important to emphasise that it had never been suggested that the drugs were to be supplied to others or that there was any commercial gain to be made. The drugs cost £100 in the UK, a quantity "entirely consistent" with personal use, she said. Continued on page 2 Seabed surveyNEITHER the Falklands nor the British government has received any official request from Argentina to carry out a survey of the seabed around the Islands and South Georgia. Mercopress this week reported that the Argentine Navy's oceanographic vessel Puerto Deseadohad been commissioned to collect scientific and technical data on the seabed to the north of the Falklands and all the way to South Georgia. The information would be used in Argentina's presentation before the United Nations to have its continental platform border and rights extended from 200 to 350 miles. Acting Governor Paul Martinez confirmed that neither the Falklands nor the UK government had been informed of the intentions of the Puerto Deseado,nor had the Argentines made any official request to operate within Falkland Islands or South Georgia waters. He declined to comment on speculation over the ship's intended area of operation. FIDC boss goesTHE General Manager of the Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC) has resigned from his job. Mark Brunet flew out on Saturday, just a day after the FIDC staff were informed of his resignation. In a joint statement released on Monday Mr Brunet, Councillor Richard Cockwell and government Chief Executive Tim Thorogood attributed his departure to a "change in circumstances." When pressed further, Mr Thorogood would reveal no more details. He told Penguin News, "I'm sure the public can understand that there are many reasons why employees may leave their jobs at short notice, as Mark has done, and that it is quite proper that these reasons are kept confidential between employee and employer. "The fact that he was a senior public servant does not alter the duty of confidentiality in relation to employment matters." However, he did confirm that Mr Brunet was not paid a gratuity. As for the interim and future management of FIDC, arrangements were to be made this week. Mr Thorogood said he and Cllr Cockwell spent the day with the staff of FIDC on Monday and added: "We are satisfied that day to day operations are in hand and key projects are on track." Speaking on Falklands Radioon Tuesday, Cllr Cockwell confirmed Mr Brunet had resigned and was not sacked. Quartet of cruisersTHE Falklands welcomes four cruise ships this week. Alexander Von Humbolt and Norwegian Dreamwill visit Stanley on Tuesday, respectively bringing 300 and 1,750 passengers. On Wednesday Star Princess will call into the capital with 2,596 passengers and on Thursday it will be the turn of Rotterdam, with 1,316 passengers. Good FridayTOMORROW is Good Friday, a public holiday. All government departments (other than those providing essential services) will be closed.