MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Foreign Office praise to Falklands on ‘successful’ next of kin visits

Almost 400 Argentine next of kin participated in the inauguration of the Memorial at the cemetery in Darwin.

A senior British Minister has congratulated those in the Falkland Islands involved in the Argentine next of kin visits saying, “…undoubtedly the visits can be considered a success.”

Foreign and Commonwealth Minister for the Overseas Territories Chris Bryant MP conveyed his appreciation in a letter to His Excellency the Governor of the Falkland Islands Mr Alan Huckle.

He said, “I have been following the visits of the Argentine next of kin closely. As you know, the British Government, including the Prime Minister personally, were particularly keen for these visits to be a success.

“I should like to congratulate all those involved in the planning for these visits…. The excellent preparations were noted and appreciated widely by the next of kin, Families Commission and the visiting Argentine media.”

Mr Bryant noted that there had inevitably been a number of real and sensitive challenges: “It is clear that a large degree of the success of the visits is attributable to the constructive and pragmatic actions of many in FIG (Falkland Islands Government) made all the more difficult by the impending elections.”

He said the visits were important humanitarian events and asked that his thanks be passed on to all of those involved in FIG for their contribution and support towards the successful visits.

The next of kin visits to the Falklands took place on the October 3 and October 10.

By Lisa Watson - SeAledPR - Stanley