MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands reassured by UK commitment to defense and by House support

“It is reassuring to know that Her Majesty’s Government remains committed to the defense of our Islands and our home”, said MLA Dr. Elsby

The Falkland Islands elected Legislative Assembly welcomed the statement of Secretary of Defense before the House of Commons and said it was reassuring that the UK government remains committed to the defense of the Islands, and equally significant the strong support received by the secretary from members of Parliament.

 On Tuesday the Falkland Islands Defense Review, which has been underway since 2013, was discussed in the House of Parliament by Secretary of State for Defense, Michael Fallon MP, said the brief release from Gilbert House.

“Michael Fallon confirmed in his statement that troop numbers in the Islands will remain largely the same, that the 2 Chinooks redeployed to Afghanistan in 2006 will return to the Falkland Islands, and that over the next 10 years £180m will be committed to infrastructure development at Mount Pleasant Complex. The infrastructure developments include a new school and works at Mare Harbor. Other works, such as updating the Rapier system, were also discussed”.

In response to the discussion in Parliament, Chair of the Legislative Assembly Dr. Barry Elsby made a statement on behalf of the Falkland Islands Government.

“The Falkland Islands Government welcomes the Secretary of State for Defense’s statement today in the House. It is reassuring to know that Her Majesty’s Government remains committed to the defense of our Islands and our home. It was also encouraging to note the strong support the Secretary of State received from other Members of Parliament.

”There will be little change to force posture overall, but we are particularly looking forward to welcoming the return of Chinooks which were removed in 2006 to support operations in Afghanistan.“

From Montevideo, UK ambassador Ben Lyster-Binns said that the latest decision on the Falklands defense budget was in line ”with regular reviews regarding potential military risks to the Islands to ensure an appropriate level of defense capacity“.

”There is no evidence of the existence of an intention to launch a military attack on the Islands“, but the UK government remains totally committed to protect the Falkland Islands and its people. ”Islanders are British and they want to continue being British“.

Thus, ”it is appropriate to be prepared for all threats current or potentially in the future“ added the British ambassador in Uruguay.

Lyster-Binns underlined there is no doubt regarding British sovereignty over the Falklands and surrounding maritime spaces, and so is the right of the Falkland Islanders to self determination as enshrined in the UN charter and the International convention on civil and political rights.

Likewise ”the return of the Chinook support helicopters means going back to 2006 when they were taken for operations in Afghanistan. Investment in infrastructure is to upgrade some outdated equipment and will also improve living conditions of personnel in the Falklands”, concluded the British ambassador.