MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands’ oil and Argentina: “the potential prize made the risk worth taking”

Retiring Governor Alan Huckle suggests Islanders self-determination is explained to as wide an international audience as possible

Alan Huckle retires this month as Governor of the Falkland Island. In an interview with Mercopress Mr. Huckle recalls some of the outstanding events of his mandate: a solemn, dignified 25th anniversary of the 1982 conflict; constitutional reform which transferred even greater responsibility to the Falklands elected Councilors and oil, “an issue not yet played out”.

“We all knew that it might make relations with Argentina more difficult but the potential prize made that a risk worth taking”, points out Huckle.

But of course the new Constitution gives Falkland Islanders “the right to self-determination and by virtue of that right [to] freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development and … for their own ends [to] freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources”.

The outgoing Governor also recommends that Islanders right to self-determination is “explained and understood by as wide an international audience as possible”. There are many myths that need to be corrected: Islanders, UK Ministers and officials, and friends of the Falklands should be involved in this campaign and people should be encouraged to visit the Islands and see “the modern, vibrant society that the Islanders have created for themselves”.

The Governor’s role has changed over the last couple of decades – how would you describe it in today’s Falkland Islands?

The days when the Governor had a direct administering role in the government of the Falkland Islands are long gone. Under the new Constitution, elected representatives are rightly responsible for the Islands’ affairs across the board, although the Governor has an important role in ensuring good governance, the independence of the judiciary, the political impartiality of the administration of justice and the civil service, and the proper management of the government’s finances. The Governor also has a special role in matters relating to external affairs, defence and internal security (including the police).

Do you ever feel torn in terms of loyalty, that is, between representing the interests of the British Government and the interests of Falkland Islanders?

The Governor wears several hats – first as representative of HM the Queen but also in representing the interests of the Falkland Islands Government and the UK Government. The Governor crucially must explain the views of the Falkland Islands Government to the UK Government and vice versa. Sometimes those interests will not coincide and the Governor will have to speak frankly to both sides. The key to being a trusted interlocutor is honesty, accuracy and transparency – and I believe that I have been successful in this.

What do you think the Falkland Islands Government should do to promote the Islanders’ right to self-determination to those countries that support the Argentine position? Do you think it important that we do?

It is important that the Islanders’ right to self-determination is explained, and understood by, as wide an international audience as possible. There are many myths and misunderstandings about the Falkland Islands which need to be corrected – and Islanders as well as UK Ministers and officials, and friends of the Falklands should all be involved in this. We might also encourage more people to visit the Islands to see the modern, vibrant society that the Islanders have created for themselves.

What are your thoughts on the Argentine Presidential Decree 256?

Argentina’s Presidential Decree 256 breaches Argentina’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to provide for the right of innocent passage and freedom of navigation through Argentine jurisdictional waters. It is an unjustified attempt to obstruct the legitimate exploration for hydrocarbons within Falkland Islands’ waters. It has affected our normal shipping links to South America but I am pleased to say that it has had no effect on drilling operations, since supplies are brought to the Falklands without entering Argentine jurisdiction.

What is your prediction for the next Argentine Presidential election? Will it be another Kirchner?

It is not for me to comment on, or seek to predict, the outcome of the democratic process in Argentina. But I would say that both the UK and Falkland Islands Governments want to have good relations with Argentina. There are many areas of mutual co-operation in the region that could be advanced without compromise to the different positions on sovereignty.

The Falklands are currently involved in an ‘Economic Development Strategy’ – in your opinion do you think this and the variety of linked strategies will lead to an effective way forward for the Islands?

The work being done on the Economic Development and Rural Development Strategy documents advance some thought-provoking proposals and the ideas for economic stimulus that they advance should be examined further. It is important for the Falkland Islands to diversify its economy and to both balance its budget and continue to build up its reserves. Without oil or increased revenues from either economic diversification, or a deepening of existing economic effort, there will have to be some uncomfortable belt-tightening if we are to live within our means.

What do you think will be the greatest pros and cons of a substantial (economically viable) oil discovery in Falkland waters?

The discovery of hydrocarbons in commercially exploitable quantities would be a significant boost to the Falkland Islands economy. It offers the prize of long-term economic stability, economic opportunity and a significantly improved standard of living. But oil revenues, if they come, should be managed carefully and not wasted. The Falkland Islands Government would be well advised to establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund and to look to how oil-producing countries with a similarity to the Falklands have managed their resources, both for their national benefit and the benefit of the wider international community. There would be socio-economic effects, some negative but others positive, which would have to be addressed. Oil would certainly change the Falklands just as our fisheries have done. No society can remain static but it is right that we should seek to preserve the qualities of life that we currently enjoy whilst adapting to change. But we should not bank on oil exploitation becoming a reality just yet. Elected representatives have wisely not based their policies on the expectation of an oil discovery nor should they.

What was your biggest ‘head in your hands’ moment as a result of a decision made by the Falkland Islands Government?

There is no point in agonising over bad decisions or misguided actions or even failures to act. The key is to try to minimize their impact or to resolve the problems created. That is not to imply that the Falkland Islands Government (or the UK Government) have made bad decisions. As a Governor, you have to play the hand that you are dealt as best you can.

When you spoke to the new Falklands Government in November 2009 you warned, “yours will not be a light or easy job”, are you now reassured or dismayed by the work and conduct of the MLAs?

It is to the electorate that Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) must answer. It is not for the Governor to comment on the performance elected representatives. But the job of an MLA is becoming increasingly demanding as government grows more complex and time-consuming. Whether this can be maintained as a part-time job in the medium-term is a real issue – and it may be that the balance between paying expenses and providing adequate remuneration should shift towards the latter.

How do you view the quality of the relationship between the Falkland Islands Government and people, and the British Forces?

The Falkland Islands recognise the tremendous debt that they owe to the British Armed Forces both for their rescue from illegal Argentine occupation in 1982 and for their defence and security since. Without the stability that the military have provided, the Islanders could not have made the advances that they now enjoy. Of course, the relationship needs care and attention but the Islanders’ attitude to the military is one of warmth and high regard.

What was the most difficult situation you had to deal with during your time in the Falkland Islands?

Every Governor is faced with difficult and complex problems. I was encouraged to come here to help to manage three major issues – the 25th Anniversary of the 1982 conflict, Constitutional reform and the resumption of oil exploration. On the first, my task with Councillors was to ensure that the commemorations were solemn, dignified and sensitive to the fallen on both sides. On the second, the task was to encourage the transfer of political responsibility to elected representatives whilst preserving the ability of the Governor to ensure good governance. On oil, the issue is not yet played out. We all knew that it might make relations with Argentina more difficult but the potential prize made that a risk worth taking – and of course the new Constitution gives Falkland Islanders “the right to self-determination and by virtue of that right [to] freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development and … for their own ends [to] freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources …”. Notably, it was Argentina that pulled out of the Agreement that allowed co-operation in a designated area within Falklands’ waters.

What do you feel to have been your greatest achievement during your time in the Falkland Islands?

Within my means and with the help and advice of many, not to have provoked or allowed a matter to develop into a major crisis. There have been lots of wobbles but, by and large, the course of government in my Governorship has run relatively smoothly. But I am personally satisfied with the influence that I brought to bear on the Constitutional negotiations. This was a major step in the political development of the Falkland Islands.

What is next for Mr. and Mrs. Huckle?

We plan an active retirement in the UK, after a slow trip home. Both of us will continue to take a close interest in the Falklands and shall offer whatever assistance we can, if needed.

A final message?

We met only warmth and kind hospitality in our time in the Falklands. This is a very welcoming, friendly and beautiful place. We shall be very sad to leave the Falklands (and its people) and just want to say thank you to all who made our four years here so happy.

By Lisa Watson - SeAledPR - Stanley