MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands unveils bronze to 'hero forever' Baroness Thatcher

Mark Thatcher, on the right, next to the bronze with several members of the Legislative Assembly (Pic M. MacKay)

Describing Baroness Margaret Thatcher as a “hero forever” the Falkland Islands unveiled on Saturday a bust of the former British Prime Minister whose determination was decisive in recovering the Islands from invading and occupying Argentine forces in 1982, helping to propel the Islands to what they are now. Sir Mark Thatcher, son of the late PM was especially invited to the ceremony.

 For Falkland Islanders Baroness Thatcher “will forever be quite simply a Hero and this bust is a recognition of the enormous debt we owe her”, said MLA Barry Elsby speaking for the elected Legislative Assembly in a rainy day in Stanley.

“Had it not been for the bravery and determination of your mother in standing up to naked aggression when Argentina invaded, we would not be the country we are now - - we would be an occupied territory”, pointed out MLA Elsby.

The Falklands lawmaker went on to say how much has changed in the Islands since 1982 and “those changes have been brought about by determination of Falkland Islanders themselves”.

Finally MLA Elsby underlined to Sir Mark, that the Islands have become “a dynamic, self governing, self financing democracy with strong links to Britain but with growing trade and social links to friendly countries in South and Central America”.

January 10 is celebrated locally as the 'Margaret Thatcher Day', and despite heavy rain and grey sky, a large number of locals turned out in Stanley to mark the unveiling of the bronze bust, concluding a day of activities dedicated to the late leader.

Saturday's ceremony marked 32 years since Margaret Thatcher first visited the Falklands, only a few months after the Task Force had recovered the Islands from the invading Argentine forces.

On unveiling the monument, Sir Mark particularly noted and liked “the fact that the sculptor has included a Union Jack on my mother's lapel, I think that is entirely fitting and gets an important message across. This is my first time to the Falkland Islands and I am extremely, extremely fortunate and greatly honored to be here to unveil this bust of my mother who I know would be equally honored and very humbled that you, the Falkland Islanders, have bestowed upon her such an honor”.

Further on he said that “whilst this represents the likeness of my mother she would wish that it will also stand as a constant reminder to us why these Islands and our Nation went to war over 30 years ago. Those reasons were as valid then in 1982, as they are today in 2015”, said Mark Thatcher in a brief speech.

“My mother would be proud to know that she stands as the Sentinel, guarding and protecting those essential freedoms that we hold to be true, self evident and enduring”.
And in reference to Argentina, Sir Mark added “this may be an inconvenient truth to your neighbors: the right of self determination is however enshrined in the United Nations chart”.

Finally Sir Mark was grateful for the ceremony and also paid tribute to the armed forces that liberated the Islands and continue to protect them.

“The journey of my mother's life and that of these Islands is forever joined by common destiny, which you have generously recognized today” he underlined adding that “the imperative of these essential freedoms that my mother so strongly held were won and are protected by our Armed forces, and is to them, equally, that our approbations must be given”.

Falklands' sculptor Steve Masson was commissioned to carry out the work which cost around £40,000 and stands eight foot high on a stone plinth.
The bronze statue bears a brass plaque with a quote from Baroness Thatcher on April 3 1982.

It reads: “They are few in number, but they have the right to live in peace, to choose their own way of life and determine their own allegiance.”

The statue is at the end of Thatcher Drive, next to the Liberation Monument, which honors 255 UK servicemen and three Falklands civilians who died in the conflict, and in front of the Secretariat which houses most administrative offices of the local government.

One of the local Falkland Islanders who attended the celebration ceremony emulated Margaret Thatcher with Winston Churchill.

”In our most difficult hours, Margaret Thatcher was for us like Winston Churchill for Britain, remarked a proud Tim Miller.