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First minefield cleared in Falkland Islands – thanks to Zimbabweans

Thursday, March 25th 2010 - 20:45 UTC
Full article 47 comments

ZIMBABWEAN de-miners were cheered and clapped by a large crowd of Falklands residents today as the, “brave and hardworking” experts demonstrated confidence in their work by holding a soccer game in the recently cleared Minefield 25 on Sapper Hill near Stanley. Read full article

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  • Hoytred

    I'm surprised that Argentina hasn't claimed sovereignty over the mines and asked for them back lol ...........

    Mar 26th, 2010 - 12:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    No thanks! you can keep them! ROFL

    Mar 26th, 2010 - 03:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    Argentine forces should have left more of them!

    Mar 26th, 2010 - 03:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Christopher UK

    Jorge wrote “Argentine forces should have left more of them!”

    Well that tells us all we need to know about what passes as thought in Jorge's tiny mind.

    Perhaps Argentina should have also sent more Belgrano's for the Royal Navy to turn into reefs?

    Mar 26th, 2010 - 09:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • khh

    Tells us jorge does not realy give a shit about the Falklands. I would like someone to stick each of them up his asre one at a time. Then kick him in the guts. Wanker jorge

    Mar 26th, 2010 - 12:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    ......“I would like someone to stick each of them up his asre one at a time.”......

    - I'm here waiting.

    Mar 27th, 2010 - 03:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • globetrotter

    amazing isnt it? the Falklands / Malvinas belong to Argentina but, Argentina refuse to send in mine clearing teams? doesnt even make an offer of assistance to clear this stuff away and, in '82 deliberately dispersed 1000's of AP mines into the dunes totally indiscriminately. Most of the casualties were Magellans and their own people believe it or not!

    Mar 28th, 2010 - 02:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • globetrotter

    1. Hoytred, asking for their mines back was too risky instead, they (with the assistance of DB Argentina) actually asked for their G wagons back...for your info: DB= Daimler Benz and G Wagon = equivalent of Landrover leased from Mercedes / DB....if you want to know more...I'll tell you the rest.

    Mar 28th, 2010 - 02:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Beef

    Argentine laid these killers and should be responsible for paying the bill on clearing them (they would probably default on this like they do with most other bills they have to pay; see bonds etc.)

    Perhaps the FIG and the UK should make this point to the EU and also to Mr Ban at the UN. Let's see if Argentina comes forward to negotiate payment for mine clearance. I doubt they would have the integrity to do such a thing.

    Dr Beef

    Mar 28th, 2010 - 08:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    ........”Argentine laid these killers and should be responsible for paying the bill on clearing them (they would probably default on this like they do with most other bills they have to pay; see bonds etc.)”........

    - Every country should clear landmines from its terretorie. The thing here is that Argentina has no access to its terretorie. It has to ask permission to squatters/british and that's unaceptable.

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 04:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hoytred

    Globtrotter, I'm not surprised .... Argentina lost but wanted its toys back lol

    Jorge! - Argentina has full access to its territories, it just doesn't have access to someone elses territories. But hey, no problem .... the world is watching!

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 06:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    Malvinas = Part of Argentina. End of Story!

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 08:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • JustinKuntz

    After the war they asked for the Mercedes 4x4 back as they hadn't paid for them. The chutzpah is unbelievable.

    Falklands doesn't and never has belonged to Argentina.

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 09:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hoytred

    Jorge - now that explains it, you're reading a story whilst we are reading fact ! Try getting your head into some non-fiction Jorge!

    Malvinas = where ???? Oh, you mean the Falkland Islands, why didn't you say :-)

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 11:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • khh

    globetrotter (#)
    Daimler Benz and G Wagon. There are about 3 still in the islands, x2 that run, there is a nice one at the museum in Stanley.. Unimogs x7 that are still in use. and loads up in the ranges.

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 12:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    Comments 13, 14 and 15 keep dreaming with your peace, you will never have it, you can have all those toys, but you will wake up every morning knowing we are here with our flag and rights ready to enter.

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 12:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hoytred

    We are at peace Jorgy boy .... the frustrations are all yours ..... no problem :-)

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 01:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • J.A. Roberts

    “ready to enter”

    What a joke! Jorgelito, you guys couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery!

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 02:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • globetrotter

    13. Just think, in Dec '83, DB Argentina asked it's own government for repayment of the cost for the leased vehicles. The Arg. govnt. told DB to address the matter with DB Germany / British govnt. Answer= The British govnt claimed all equipments left on the islands as “War salvage” or booty....a legally accepted practice internationally. DB Germany, who was the ultimate owner of the leased vehicles, turned round to the MoD and declared its refusal to sell any spare parts, until such time as the British govnt paid for the vehicles. Answer= send a couple of guys to the local dealer and buy what what you want, and send it south....major parts were sent south on a regular basis.

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 03:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • globetrotter

    15. I suppose the 20 - 30 or so G wagons from '82 were carted off to the Onion range for practice?

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 03:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • khh

    20, The G-wagons & unimogs were all used until they could go no longer, and then the dead ones were canabalised to keep the better ones going.
    A big problem was starter motors, The argies threw away most of the keys so vehicles were hot wired- many badly and the starters were running all the time . they just burned out and with no new ones, well that was that, They were parked up and canabalised. There were about x50 230 G-wagons and about x50 unimogs, the argies managed to get some of the unimogs back to the mainland before the surrender. [pricks]
    The AML 90 panhards went to Onion range but the G-wagons and unimogs went to the Hornby Mt range on west Falkland. Many were never hit so sit were they were droped. A good sorce of spare parts for those left running. Still not very rusty after all these years.

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 05:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Rhaurie-Craughwell

    I do know that at Bisley they sell quite alot of 2nd hand re-commisioned 7.62 rounds with the inscription FN-ARG on the base, popularly known as RG for short :)

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 10:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Rhaurie-Craughwell

    curious do you think that the refusal to clear the mines is clear evidence of a renunciation of sovereignty?
    As it obviously shouldn't be the job of Britain to clear up mines left by Argentina to on it's national territory?
    If it was so national, and the Islands are so obviously yours and you love them so dearly and suffer multiple orgasms at the sight of the beauty of an integral part of the mainland, Argentina would be begging to be allowed back to clean up weapons of such evil from it's own territory?

    Mar 29th, 2010 - 10:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Faulconbridge

    “Most of the casualties were Magellans and their own people believe it or not!”

    Hardly surprising. The Argentinian armed forces have killed more Argentinians than foreigners. In fact the Argentinian armed forces have also killed more Argentinans than foreigners have.

    Mar 30th, 2010 - 05:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Christopher UK

    Jorge lied “Malvinas = Part of Argentina. End of Story!”

    The Falklands are not part of Argentina - never have been and, unless the Falkland Islanders change their minds, never will be. Get used to it.

    Mar 30th, 2010 - 10:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    25 Christine, stop replying me. Can't you post a comment without making reference about me???

    Mar 30th, 2010 - 04:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Dustoff

    Regarding comments 7 through 10: note that there are still many, many thousands of Bristish-placed WW II landmines in various places around the world that the UK has no intention of removing. This is particularly true of north Africa, and especially western Egypt. The official UK position is that landmine removal is the responsibility of the country where the mines are located, not the country that placed them.

    Mar 30th, 2010 - 06:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Rhaurie-Craughwell

    Dustoff-
    Fair point, but do look at it pratically you've answered the sentence yourself it is the repsonsibility of were the mines are located not who placed them, since Argentina claims said islands as an integral part of the motherlands bosom, logic dictates that it should be Argentina cleaning up the landmines, or at least offering to by proving how committed it is to liberating La parrot-tree, since Argentina has done neither we can assume that Argentina does not actually own these islands or even recognise them as part of the parrot-tree.

    Mar 30th, 2010 - 08:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hoytred

    Boom-boom

    Mar 31st, 2010 - 01:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • globetrotter

    27. This is true and applies eaqually to the axis powers. The people who remove mines are invariably members of a military force. There are political difficulties in negotiating the stationing of troops on foreign soil. There is however an internationally recognised and negotiable mechanism through the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement). Where this is politically sensitive, there are other possibilities and one of those is the Zimbabwe team of deminers. There are several other examples in operation around the world...the German government formed a team of ex military sappers into a privately run company whose task was to demine the border between the 2 germanies (post fall of communism) today, these people are active in Russia, and other east European countries. The old allies cooperate fully with local authorities throughout Europe in the search for, and identification of EODs particularly during survey work for construction projects. In Angola Portuguese and South African teams were active as welll as the fore mentioned Germans. In the Falklands the situation is no different however, and as Rhaurie says, the mines were laid partially indiscriminately by Argentina...if Argentina says the Falklands are their territory then, they are obliged to remove them. Under the circumstances they could have at least made an offer of assistance under similar conditions to those stated....

    Mar 31st, 2010 - 04:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • JustinKuntz

    In fairness to Argentina, demining of the Falklands was agreed to be a joint undertaking. Not sure what happened to that agreement, does anyone know?

    Mar 31st, 2010 - 08:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Rhaurie-Craughwell

    Tore up by Christian Jerkner no doubt?

    Mar 31st, 2010 - 09:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    29Hoytred said.........“Boom-boom”.........

    - Life gave us the oportunity to read the valuable Hoytred comments. What would we do without them!?!?! LOL

    Mar 31st, 2010 - 05:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hoytred

    Just enjoying Rhaurie's punchline Jorge! Having read so many of your infantile posting I have come to recognise that this is not a place for serious debate .... you're not up to it.

    The Falklands are British and there's bugger all you can do about it .... no problem :-)

    Apr 01st, 2010 - 07:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Christopher UK

    Jorge wrote “Christine, stop replying me. Can't you post a comment without making reference about me???”

    What is wrong Jorgina? Can't you take the fact that I show you up as the fool you are? Stop crying and posting rubbish and you might be taken a little more seriously and, you never know, you might be laughed at less.

    Apr 01st, 2010 - 10:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    35 Jennifer, I don't give a sh*t what you do. Do whatever you want, the entire world sees you as disgusting pirates anyway.
    I'm going to lunch now, you little b*tch.

    Apr 01st, 2010 - 02:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LegionNi

    36 jorge! 35 Jennifer, I don't give a sh*t what you do. Do whatever you want, the entire world sees you as disgusting pirates anyway.
    I'm going to lunch now, you little b*tch.

    Do you speak for the entire world? Take about dilutions of grandeur. Is this sense of inflated importance systematic of all Argentines?

    Apr 01st, 2010 - 03:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    .........“Do you speak for the entire world? Take about dilutions of grandeur. Is this sense of inflated importance systematic of all Argentines?”......

    - I don't feel like posting links over and over again. You british and americans are not much aware of waht other people around the world thinks about you.
    Get out of your box!

    Apr 02nd, 2010 - 05:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • J.A. Roberts

    From Comodoro Rivadavia, the centre of the world, Jorge has pronounced what everyone thinks of the US and the UK... what a laugh!

    Apr 02nd, 2010 - 04:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    Yeah!!!!! From the oil capital of Argentina We say what the entire wolrd knows, YOU ARE DISGUSTING PIRATES!!!!!!!!!

    Apr 02nd, 2010 - 10:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hoytred

    Nope, still getting it wrong Jorgy boy ... a few of your immediate neighbours support you. No-one else. And even your neighbours won't go very far in their support. Chile stopped the flights yet ?

    Apr 02nd, 2010 - 11:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    We didn't ask them, asshole. We control the sky that flight fly.

    Apr 03rd, 2010 - 05:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hoytred

    Then try it .... you'll find out how much real support you've got.

    Apr 03rd, 2010 - 07:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge!

    They can't fly over our sky without our permission you stupid c*nt!
    Didn't you say the other day that you have studied law???? ROFL

    Apr 03rd, 2010 - 07:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hoytred

    Then why are they still flying jorgy boy ... what with the fine words from your president, and all the fine support from your neighbours .... or is it all hot air??

    Apr 03rd, 2010 - 11:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hoytred

    and yes, Jorgy boy I have studied law (LL.B[Hon]), and philosophy(M.Phil) and, rather more important, life. I recognise idiocy and gibberish when I see or hear it (or utter it), I recognise stupid nationalism when I see it and I know common sense too. There is no middle ground, no need for discussion. The only viable future for the islanders is true independence. The UN supports it, the British are willing to give it and the time will come when the islanders are ready to accept it. Argentina's view are largely irrelevant to the process.

    Wave your flags, march and rally ...... it's all for nought in the long run!

    Apr 03rd, 2010 - 11:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Rhaurie-Craughwell

    Didn't the Argentine govt implement a decree forbidding ships travelling through their waters to the Islands without prior permission? So much for that decree!

    As for the LAN flights the majority of it's users are Argentine families of the fallen, so by all means cut off the only link that the bereaved in Argentina have to the final respecting places of their loved ones, wonder how that will go down?

    But don't worry I hear that South Africa and Namibia are keen to start their own regular flights to the Islands, and with the soon to be built St Helena airport the Airbrigde will soon be able to operate on a viable economic basis!

    You see Jihad Jorge, the Islands have nothing they need from Argentina, but you want everything from them, so how on earth can you force their hand in any many except military posturing which got you very far last time?

    Apr 03rd, 2010 - 03:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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