MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
No dispute over Falklands issues
Mr Mark Lancaster MP and Mr Kevan Jones MP Two Members of Westminster Parliament have been visiting the Islands during this period of remembrance as guests of the Falkland Islands Government.
Mr Mark Lancaster MP, who is a Government Whip and Mr Kevan Jones MP, Shadow Minister for Defence, left the Islands on Tuesday on the same flight as HRH the Duke of Kent, after a similarly full programme of visits and official engagements.
Speaking to Penguin News during the week both visitors wished to thank their hosts and the people of the Islands for the warmth of their reception - according to Mr Lancaster something not always given to politicians in Britain.
They were adamant that there was absolute cross-party agreement in the British Parliament over the right of Falkland Islanders to self-determination and the need to maintain the current level of military deterrent against any possible aggression.
Being himself a serving officer in the Territorial Army, who has served in Kosovo and Bosnia as part of the UN peace-keeping force and more recently in Afghanistan, Mr Lancaster was keen to reassure Islanders that recent announcements from the British Government that reservists would be part of the Falklands garrison did not imply any reduction in military capability. Not only was the Territorial Army now a highly
professional and well-trained force, but also its members had already been routinely serving in the Falkland Islands for some years.
Mr Kevan Jones, who first visited the Falklands in 2002, said that he was impressed by the progress that had been made in the Islands since then and delighted to find the same spirit of purpose and optimism evident.
For the MP for North Durham the opportunity to meet with veterans had been one of the highlights of the visit. In his former capacity as Minister for Veterans, Mr Jones had signed what he believed was the first cheque which went towards the founding of Liberty Lodge in Stanley. (PN)
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Read all comments“Mr Lancaster was keen to reassure Islanders that recent announcements from the British Government that reservists would be part of the Falklands garrison did not imply any reduction in military capability”
Nov 19th, 2012 - 12:47 am 0What a bunch of insecure scary cats these Brits in Malvinas are, they need to be resssured by papa Camoron all the time.
@1
Nov 19th, 2012 - 12:54 am 0Well, being invaded and experiencing extended hostile intent from a neighbour could be the cause.
Not that the Islanders are particularly insecure at the minute, the Argentinian armed services couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag.
Marcos- you believe newspapers too much!! This was all media hype - nobody here is one bit bothered by more TA,s rotating through the Falklands as the resident Infantry Company - we are well used to them over several years - and very proffesional they are.
Nov 19th, 2012 - 01:05 am 0Anyway once the withdrawl from Afghanistan is complete we are likley to have considerably more infantry numbers rotating through the Islands on training - as they have excellent combined service training facilities here.
Yes agree with No 2 - the only difference we ahev in the Islands between Argemntina of 1982 ans Argentina of 2012 is that in today,s war there is no lead in the sky - but Argentina is very definatley still engaged in WAR against 3000 people though!
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