MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands to meet Red Cross in Geneva on DNA identification of Argentine combatants buried in Darwin
The Falklands government announced on Friday that MLA Mike Summers will be attending a meeting in Geneva, chaired by the Red Cross to forward agreements for DNA identification of Argentine combatants buried in Darwin. A follow up meeting in London for the signing of the agreements is scheduled, which will also include MLA Phyl Rendell, and to advance in other issues related to the September UK/Argentina joint statement referred to additional flights and fisheries scientific data exchange. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesCongratulations with your new jobs at HMG..., Phyl & Mike...
Nov 18th, 2016 - 10:40 pm - Link - Report abuse -17Let's 'have a productive BILATERAL meeting..., shall we?
Chuckle..., chuckle...
As I said weeks ago on here. The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly will have direct representation at the meeting that will agree the conditions of a joint mandate to carry out the work. The key consideration, of course, will be that of the wishes of the families. Something CFK's cronies clearly didn't care about; let's hope with a sane grown up running the country now, it'll be okay.
Nov 18th, 2016 - 11:13 pm - Link - Report abuse +12Let's also hope the remains buried at Darwin exactly match the list of names associated, til now, with the bodies.
As the release from Gilbert House in Puerto Estanley, occupied Malvinas clearly states...:
Nov 18th, 2016 - 11:52 pm - Link - Report abuse -18“A meeting will take place in December. The Falkland Islands Government will be represented by MLA Mike Summers, who will form part of the UK delegation.”
In other words...:
You Kelpers can send Mike..., a sheep or a Thinking chimp to Geneva...
He will still be part of HMG delegation in a BILATERAL meeting with us Argies...
Think
Nov 19th, 2016 - 12:07 am - Link - Report abuse +15You know that the views of the FIG, via our MLA, will be taken into account by the delegation but I didn't come back on to debate with a silly old fool like you.
Attention: Mr. Roger Lorton.
I hope you enjoyed the presentation ceremony yesterday. Once again, many congratulations and thank you for all of the effort you put into your research. Research that many of us here in the Falkland Islands enjoy and appreciate reading.
Seems to me that Think's ''part” of the UK delegation has the right of veto over all the delegations. However you play with the words old man, the FIG are represented and will approve, or not, the final decision.
Nov 19th, 2016 - 05:30 am - Link - Report abuse +15Dear Mr. Lorton
Nov 19th, 2016 - 09:22 am - Link - Report abuse -14You know, as well as I do that the “final decision” on this case has already been taken...
Mike will..., as the rest of HMG and Argie delegations..., participate in the formalities at Genève and then he will surely rent a car and drive southwest to his Provençal retreat...
Eventually, in one year or two, a forensic group will arrive to them windblown Islands and put the correct names on them graves...
End of this sad story.
By the way...
My sincere congratulations...
You have been of service to the Crown and Colonies... so it is only fair you recieve a Royal Colonial commendation...
Enjoy...
Thank you Jo Blogs, and, indeed, Think. I was humbled. but it will not last.
Nov 19th, 2016 - 11:29 am - Link - Report abuse +12As for the rest, Mike Summers has the ability to dictate, and a hard man image to maintain. The deal, I suspect, will be as you say Think, if only for the families concerned. The FIG will not make political capital out of this. According to the BA Herald, the ICRC already are recognising the importance of Islander participation; that Argentina attempts to avoid doing so, is of no consequence.
Argentines are a sad race, unable to accept the inevitable - even those that are 1st generation. The world turns old man - Argentina's claim is mostly forgotten.
Roger
Nov 19th, 2016 - 11:45 am - Link - Report abuse +10We are very happy for the graves to be identified. If that is what the families wish to happen then it has to happen and I'll be glad when it does happen. Any previous caution we may have shown concerning Darwin Cemetery was usually associated with concerns of it being used for political posturing by The K governments.
I Think at least one silly old fool on here is now trying to position himself ready to say FIG obviously had no say in matters if the ID work goes ahead because it was against Islanders' wishes but happened anyway.
In the 90s the Argentine custodians of the cemetery applied to our planning department for permission to build a much larger cross than the one they eventually built. The planned one would have dominated the surrounding area and was considered to be unnecessarily large so it was rejected. That, of course, was before the Ks and was a demonstration of recognition of FIG.
Jo
Nov 19th, 2016 - 03:22 pm - Link - Report abuse -9Local planning authorities always deal with local planning issues in all counties in the UK...
UK Govt would never be involved unless it had National or International implications...
Voice
Nov 19th, 2016 - 03:43 pm - Link - Report abuse +11How interesting. So you're saying the application by a foreign country to build a war cemetery on British soil would've been of no national or international interest to the UK Gov't? But that this current interest in identifying the remains IS of national or international interest?
Did you think that one through Voicey? ;-)
Poor sad think,ancient relict representative of totally bastard stock.
Nov 19th, 2016 - 04:46 pm - Link - Report abuse +15Like some of us in the latter accusation.
Except that we accept International law and human standards of decent sympathetic behaviour.
The Falklands population,as you will see if you go their are extremely polyglot.
This means that they were not implanted there by anybody but themselves and its not a colony.
Perhaps you will remind us all of the nature of the claim on the territory which Argentina thinks it has?
Clue,it has never ever been Argentinian territory by any current definition.
Further,if Argentina thinks it has a claim it would take it to the ICJ,wouldnt it?
Wouldnt you?
M
Glad there is progress being made here regarding this.
Nov 19th, 2016 - 04:48 pm - Link - Report abuse +9Think &Voice (& Eneeky Masturbator), your usual desperately inaccurate and incorrect opinions... HughJuanCoeurs.
Nov 19th, 2016 - 07:55 pm - Link - Report abuse +5For those interested in facts (instead of childish propaganda) the UK is the signatory to the Geneva Convention on behalf of all of its Overseas Territories (and Crown Colonies). That does not exclude participation by OT/CC Governments where relevant. It is of no consequence whether anybody calls the meetings, bi- tri- or quadri-lateral. What matters is the result in the interests of the families.
Nov 19th, 2016 - 09:23 pm - Link - Report abuse +3GALlamosa
Nov 19th, 2016 - 09:36 pm - Link - Report abuse +3You are quite correct: the wishes of the families are paramount in all of this and we will not agree to terms that don't fully and solely support those views. It's important that FIG has a say in this project and that has been recognised by the ICRC. I don't care if the negotiations are called trilateral or bilateral as long as the Falkland Islands Government is represented and consulted and I am pleased to say that is going to continue to happen.
Changing your tune Jo...
Nov 19th, 2016 - 11:30 pm - Link - Report abuse -4You said...“ permission to build a much larger cross than the one they eventually built.”
Not...an“ application by a foreign country to build a war cemetery on British soil ”...
One was clearly a matter for the Big Boss and the other a minor local decision...
Or are you going to claim Argentina applied directly to the FIG to build a war cemetery...?
You are only fooling and deluding yourself...
HMG will make any decisions and FIG will acquiesce..what other choice do you have...?
Hobsons...I reckon....
Voicey, Voicey, Voicey.
Nov 19th, 2016 - 11:58 pm - Link - Report abuse +5It is you that is changing your tune. You've always maintained that Argentina does not and should not recognise the Falkland Islands Government. Now that you can see they do, you decide we are part of the UK. Make up your mind you silly, bitter old fool.
You can't have it both ways. Either Argentina does not recognise FIG or it does. You can't say that it does but only as a local council of the UK.
So which is it?
You also seem to think that FIG is against the ID programme but that is nonsense.
Oh, and Voice, thanks for your UK tax contributions, if you make any, that contribute to the defence and foreign diplomacy of the BOTs.
Judging by half your comment...you are confusing me with Mr. Think...
Nov 20th, 2016 - 12:09 am - Link - Report abuse -6I'm saying that the size of a cross is hardly a matter for HMG it's more of a cosmetic local planning trifle....like any other local planning authority that is of course subordinate to the UK Govt....
I see you dodged the question about Argentina applying directly to the FIG for permission to build a war cemetery....
...of course they didn't...
The FIG just wailed to HMG.....“Tell them they can't have a cross that big...tell them!!!”... ;-)))
I'm dodging questions? LMAO! You ARE Think; let's get that clear first. Of course adding a cross is not the same as applying to build a cemetery but on both occasions the Argentine Government dealt with FIG.
Nov 20th, 2016 - 01:13 am - Link - Report abuse +5Back to this story, the Falkland Islands Government will be part of the negotiations. Although I am pleased the families will get their way I fear they won't all be happy because some will discover their sons are not where they thought they were all this time and that is just going to open up entire new problems for them.
Actually Voice, I am not sure whether the Sec. of State has the power to 'call in' applications in the BOT's. Section 77 of the T&C Planning Act isn't clear as to his jurisdiction, nor was the House of Commons briefing Paper of 2016 both refer primarily to 'England'. I assume the FIG Government and MLA are responsible for their Unitary Development Plans or similar so they must provide their own planning procedures and authority.
Nov 20th, 2016 - 03:21 pm - Link - Report abuse +2That is purely my guess, but am interested to know if indeed the UK has any say.
Voice, I'm afraid you are simply ignorant of the facts. The Argentine Families Commission applied to FIG for permission to construct the cemetery which was approved in the current configuration. HMG had (and has) no role.
Nov 20th, 2016 - 06:29 pm - Link - Report abuse +6Voice- Some historical facts for you.
Nov 20th, 2016 - 09:05 pm - Link - Report abuse +8Argentina applied to neither FIG nor HMG to haver its war dead buried at Darwin.
Fact- Argentina refused to re3ply in late 1982 to all the requests from HMG as to what they wanted done with their war dead.
Fact-HMG as a civilised Govt felt something humane had to be down with all those bodies,so it asked FIG - who in agreement with a landowner, selected Darwin as a site for internment as road was going to be built nearby but the site would not be “in the face” and highly visible to Islanders.Bodies were interred with due respect, wooden crosses erected with names where known, and a simple wooden fence around.
Fact- Later on the Arg Families Commission came into existence and got the funding to replace crosses, upgrade and build a memorioal wall similar to the one in B.A. and erect a Cross - For this , they applied direct to FIG Planning Dept. I know as I was on that Committee at that time. The Committe rejected the initial proposed height of the Cross- so the Commission came back with the acceptable height, I think there was
also a request for a flagpole- which was refused.
A British contractor working in the Islands was paid by the Commission to do the works once the materials had been shipped here from Argentina, a local business was contracted to provide some landscape planting behind the wall. All paid by the Arg Families Commision.
Sorry voice but GALlamosa is spot on.
Wrong and wrong.....
Nov 21st, 2016 - 12:38 am - Link - Report abuse -5“The memorial at Darwin had been incorporated into the July 1999 Letters of Understanding between the Argentine and British Governments”....
...and what do you mean the materials were shipped...the whole memorial was shipped from Argentina...
”The memorial at Darwin was first constructed at Ezeiza Airport in Buenos Aires and then shipped to the Falkland Islands in sections to be erected on site by Morrisons (Falklands) Ltd.”
Do you lot know anything about the Falklands at all....?
Apparently not....
Voice- I do indeed know what I am talking about.
Nov 21st, 2016 - 01:13 am - Link - Report abuse +4The Cemetery and Memorial was part of the 1999 Agreement because that agreement and the monthly flight call via Rio Gallegos meant no longer a need for Red Cross Charters.
At that time 1999 was when the idea of the Families Commission
getting a replica of the B.A. Memorial wall built here was proposed- 2 Elected MLAs from here were part of the delegation that agreed all the terms. Following those terms the Families Commission then indeed formally wrote to FIG Planning Permission to make the required local planning application as required by Falkland Islands Law - that part totally F*** all to do with London.
Yes - by materials I did indeed mean the sections of the wall that were precast in Argentina and shipped here in sections and erected on locally made foundations by the company I referred to.
Incidentally those sections- or rather the type of stone and finish used may be fine in B.A. but is sadly not standing up to our climate and needs some attention and repairs. Likewise the crosses.
England will return the Malvinas within 25 years.
Nov 21st, 2016 - 01:24 am - Link - Report abuse -7July 1999 Letters of Understanding between the Argentine and British Governments”.
Nov 21st, 2016 - 01:33 am - Link - Report abuse -6I don't see a mention of the FIG in there....
Hey Mr. Think, what's that word I'm looking for to describe an aggrement between two Governments...?...it's slipped my mind...;-))
Bi bi bi bi bi bi something....
Nov 21st, 2016 - 02:18 am - Link - Report abuse -6:-)
Poor Twinky and treacherous Voice. Do you have any concept of land ownership? The hole in the ground at Darwin belongs to the Falkland Islands. The self-governing Falkland Islands has authority over ALL internal and domestic matters. Either the Falkland Islands Government agrees to this “mission” or it doesn't happen. Have you not noticed that the British Government defers to the Falkland Islands Government on ALL internal domestic matters. Your pitiful excuse for a country can't even get a commercial flight into the Islands.
Nov 21st, 2016 - 09:13 am - Link - Report abuse +3Well..., well..., well..., me dear Kelpers ...
Nov 21st, 2016 - 10:28 am - Link - Report abuse -6What happened with your “No Politics” policy..?
The ball is now in the Foreign & Colonial Office court ...
Let's see if the big dog wags its tail.............. or vice versa...
http://prensa.cancilleria.gov.ar/dura-negociacion-con-londres-por-el-adn-caidos-en-malvinas
Nice to see..., by the way..., that you Kelpers still conserve your idiosyncrasy intact...
- Always trying to get one last drop out of that auld, dried, used, expensive lemon...... ;-)
Now let's watch Argentina pull out of discussions at the expense of the poor families of the dead soldiers.
Nov 21st, 2016 - 11:17 am - Link - Report abuse +4Again, actually Voice....
Nov 21st, 2016 - 12:19 pm - Link - Report abuse +5Edited Transcript of Press Conference given at London on 14 July 1999 By British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and Argentine Foreign Minister Guido di Tella
' ....And I do want to record here that the driving force in these negotiations have been the Falkland Islands Councillors. It was they who approached us in order to set up this particular round of talks, it is they who have come to those talks with their own proposals and their own ideas and I want to pay tribute very much to the creative input they have had.'...
and just a side note for you...
'...and one of the first things we are seeking to do is to rename them from dependent territories because most of them, and this includes the Falkland Islands, most certainly are not dependent.'
So, far from being wrong, it appears the Islanders actually were very much involved and the two representatives from the MLA signed the Joint Statement as witnesses.
Oh, and paragraph 1 in the intro, last line...'...The United Kingdom delegation included
members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Council'. Or are you going to argue that the they didn't mention the word 'Government'.
Its on your favorite Arg. Embassy web site, go have a look, have some fun.
Just wait until the Argentine delegation discovers that they will have to bring their passports to be stamped, and make their way through Immigration and Customs. Should count their lucky stars they can use a visitor permit and don't need a pre-arranged visa.
Nov 23rd, 2016 - 02:32 pm - Link - Report abuse +2Nothing quite as ugly as the hairy flared nostrils on an argie.
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