MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands born James Peck has no plans to give up his British passport
CFKcelebrates the dual citizenship of James Peck The Falkland Islands born artist James Peck who last week was handed personally by President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Argentine citizenship papers in a much publicized event, revealed in an interview with The Times that he had been threatened.
Peck, 42, who became famous, particularly in Buenos Aires with paintings inspired in his child memories of the Falklands conflict in 1982, said that his decision to become an Argentine citizen was interpreted by some Falkland Islanders as “an act of treason” and in that spirit he received messages warning him that “if I return to the Islands, I will be shot”.
However Peck regretted the whole situation because he never expected his decision to become an Argentine citizen would turn into a political statement. “I did not give up my British citizenry and I have my British passport. I though about it before going ahead but what’s going on is absolutely different, it’s as if I had killed somebody”.
Further on he said that obtaining Argentine papers was basically because of practical reasons. A year and a half ago he split with his wife but wants to live close to his children in Buenos Aires, but moving around only with a British passport exposed him to “hostility and bureaucratic difficulties”.
“I’m not going to leave my children because of the dispute of two governments over the Falklands/Malvinas” said Peck.
James Peck was married to an Argentine woman and moved to Buenos Aires in 2006, returning to the Falklands occasionally. In 2008 he stood for election to the Islands’ Legislative Council unsuccessfully.
His father Terry, who died in 2006, was a member of the Falkland Islands Defense Force who during the Falklands War became a hero by acting as a scout for 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment and taking part in the fighting for Mount Longdon.
Peck was handed the Argentine citizenship document by the Argentine president on June 14th, which for the Falklands is Liberation Day, the most important date in the Islands calendar. On that day in 1982 the invading Argentine forces surrendered to the British Task Force sent to recover them.
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Read all commentsHowever Peck regretted the whole situation because he never expected his decision to become an Argentine citizen would turn into a political statement. “I did not give up my British citizenry and I have my British passport. I though about it before going ahead but what’s going on is absolutely different, it’s as if I had killed somebody”.
Jun 21st, 2011 - 08:51 am +1regretted the situation? So as a Falkland Islander, with his family history, he expected to quietly move to Argentina and gain citizenship there in election year, in the middle of June without any political pantomime being made of it! C'mon Jamie you really do live on a different planet. Still you will sell plenty of your half rate paintings there, enjoy the money Christina has given you (probably some of the money supposed to go the Mothers fund) and enjoy the women who like your ex wife will be paid to meet you and suck you in. You have been taken for a ride for the last decade mate and cannot apparently see it. Most people would not have cared about what you did had you been quiet about it, lets face it no one has lamped you one on the football pitch when you pitch up in you argie shirt. Your Dad put his life on the line for your freedom and future, you were free to do what you wanted but pal you have repaid you father in about the worst way possible. I hope you sleep well at night.
Oh grow up Marcos, any Falkland Islander can speak out on whatever they choose to just as in any country where there's freedom of speech...and just as in any country where there's freedom of speech you'll get responses to what you choose to say.
Jun 21st, 2011 - 02:52 pm +1For instance:
one says “the moon is made of cheese”
someone responds “Eh? you're mad as a box of frogs mate”
or....
one says “The Falklands are British and will remain so”
someone responds “Well said, let me but you a drink chay”
or...
one says “Malvinas son Argentinas”
Somone responds (SMACK!) “now pick up your teeth and get the fuck out”
Anyone can speak out, if one choose's to say something that's incredibly offensive they one takes the consequences.
I think the comments shown on here demonstrate just how loud the Falklnd Islanders voice is and I seriously doubt that there are Islanders who wish to speak out and are unable to. Marcus seems to be under the delusion that we are not happy and proud to be British. Please understand this: we are proud of who we are and always will be. One ignorant money (and vegetable) grabbing idiot is not going to change that.
Jun 21st, 2011 - 03:51 pm +1Commenting for this story is now closed.
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