MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands’ lawmaker arrives in Brasilia for round of contacts to promote the Islands
Dick Sawle will have a first meeting with Ambassador Ellis in Brasília Falkland Islands lawmaker Dick Sawle is expected on Tuesday in Brasília, capital of Brazil where he will explain the Islanders’ decision to remain a British Overseas Territory and give an idea of life in the South Atlantic archipelago, its economy and social achievements as a prosperous, democratic community.
According to Agencia Brasil, the Brazilian government’s news agency, Brazil supports Argentina’s position in the dispute over the Falklands’ sovereignty as do most other Latinamerican countries.
“The mission of MLA Sawle in Brazil is to promote contacts and give a clear picture of the Falklands to Brazilians, to the people of Brazil, not to the politicians or the government”, said UK ambassador Alex Ellis who added that the visitor, besides Brasília, has meetings scheduled in São Paulo, Porto Alegre and Pelotas in Brazil’s southern most state.
Last March, the Falklands held a referendum on their status and future and with a record turnout of 92%, an overwhelming majority of 98% voted to remain as a BOT. The Falklands also enjoy possibly the highest per capita income in the Americas together with the US and Canada, as well as an enviable quality of life.
“People are not aware of the reality of the Falklands and all the activity that is going on in the Islands. The idea is to explain every day life of the 3.000 inhabitants of the Falklands. There are people from at least twenty different countries living in the Islands and there are huge possibilities to develop business in fisheries and the oil industry”, pointed out Ambassador Ellis.
In Brazil the visit of MLA Sawle is geared to increase trade relations between Brazil and the Islands. “The delegation will be holding meetings with business people from São Paulo and in Rio Grande do Sul, which is considered the state with better opportunities for economic and political relations with the Falklands”.
In Brasília MLA Sawle’s agenda includes informal meetings with members of the Brazilian congress, besides with representatives from civil organizations, academia and intellectuals.
The visit in Brazil will extend until next 31 August when MLA Sawle will be travelling to neighbouring Uruguay.
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Read all commentsCristina must be kicking herself knowing that her government is responsible for a new resurgent Falklands government. The RG bullies will not win this - they will not have the last word on the rights of free people.
Aug 27th, 2013 - 02:59 am 0The Argentines will foolishly dismiss this visit as irrelevant as the Brazilian government support their position on sovereignty.
Aug 27th, 2013 - 07:48 am 0However, once people are informed of what really goes on in the Islands and the islanders point out information regarding their history, South Americans will not be impressed that their governments have been withholding the truth from them.
All this would never have happened had the Argentines not started bullying a country smaller than them, and it has opened up the visiting MLA can of worms.
Another thing the South Americans are indoctrinated on is that Falkland law is under the control of a governor.
They might then be surprised to see it is not the governor visiting countries, but the islanders themselves to get their point across.
@1 A rather lengthy way of saying what you have said TravellingScotsman.
The cat's out of the bag now, and the Islanders have only just started.
I cannot for the life of me figure out why the Argentines cannot accept the fact that the Falklanders don't want to be part of Argentina. The vote was overwhelmingly against them, yet they persist in this imperialistic desire to take over the islands. Get over it, Argentina.
Aug 27th, 2013 - 07:49 am 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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