A Rose for Peace presented the Falklands by Argentine students

Friday, October 20th 2017 - 06:03 UTC

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The large number of Argentine visitors to the Falkland Islands this week included pupils of the Don Bosco College in Ensenada. Having spent the first full day of their stay visiting the military cemeteries at Darwin and San Carlos where they paid tribute to the fallen of both sides in 1982, on Monday the group, whose visit was arranged in conjunction with the British Embassy in Buenos Aires, was given a presentation on the Falklands by the FIG Policy Department. Read full article

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Roger Lorton
“... given a presentation on the Falklands by the FIG Policy Department.”

Otherwise known to Herr Think as the Falklands' Stasi ?

There are no stories creeping out of the Islands suggesting that the visit has passed peacefully. If they have shown respect to the Falklanders, I'm sure it will have been reciprocated.

I hope they enjoyed their visit to British territory.
Oct 20th, 2017 - 07:18 am - Link - Report abuse +6
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Brit Bob
Perhaps the students are unaware of the duties and responsibilities that accompany sovereignty?

Falklands – Argentina's Sovereignty Aspirations:
https://www.academia.edu/34583696/Falklands_Argentinas_Sovereignty_Aspirations
Oct 20th, 2017 - 09:46 am - Link - Report abuse +1
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Livepeanuts
It is good that the young Argentines see a different world, a different people, and appreciate all the differences which are for good or for bad to be accepted. Once the acceptance stage has been reached it will be possible to move on, and this will be more of a recipe for peace.
Oct 20th, 2017 - 10:45 am - Link - Report abuse +5
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womble
“There are no stories creeping out of the Islands suggesting that the visit has passed peacefully.”
Equally, there are no stories about anything else. I think there would be mention if things weren't peaceful. Peaceful visits, the vast majority, don't get reported. These students were respectful, and perhaps a tad bored. Their Falklands equivalents would mostly be in the UK or studying elsewhere, so there was little opportunity for interaction. Listening to a presentation from the Policy department may not have been on their 'must do' list when they thought of visiting the Falklands....
Oct 20th, 2017 - 10:54 am - Link - Report abuse +4
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DemonTree
@RL
Why would there be stories if the visit passed peacefully? Do you mean there are none suggesting it HASN'T passed peacefully?

Anyway, they attended the presentation, which AFAIR is more than that human rights group did.

Also, remember that leaving speech and interview by Mike Summers? I was wondering what the reaction was like and the letters to the editor should have been published by now. Do you mind telling me how people responded to it?
Oct 20th, 2017 - 12:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Roger Lorton
That there were no stories suggests - to me - that the visit passed quietly. However, there is - so far - one story. Apparently that asked that the Argentine flag be displayed at the Darwin Cemetery. It was declined.

As for Mike Summers, who actually provided that last information, there were two or three letters in the last couple of editions of Penguin News either criticizing or challenging his words. Mike Summers response to the one was as follows -

”(name) mystification can only be explained by not having heard or read the full speech
as delivered. At no time did it advocate any compromise on self-determination (and by extension sovereignty). It advocates having confidence in our own ability to do what is right for the Falkland Islands, without burying our heads in the sand or supporting the Kirchnerite isolationist policy. The most bizzare of ideas in ... letter was the final paragraph speculating that I might be espousing some new HMG policy. Firstly, if there is some new policy (other than seeking to engage with Argentina on a mature basis) I am not aware of it. And secondly, even if there were, I would not be delivering it on behalf of HMG. They are
capable of doing that themselves. I would only support it if it were in the best long term interests of the Falkland Islands. I have never been afraid of confronting HMG when policies appear to compromise our security and sovereign status. What remains important is that we must be prepared to take every opportunity to make the progress that is important to our
country. If that means engaging with the Government of Argentina then that is what we
should do.”
Oct 20th, 2017 - 01:39 pm - Link - Report abuse +4
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DemonTree
Thanks Roger. That's pretty much what I expected in terms of reaction (paranoia and jumping to conclusions), and his response (opposition to isolationism).

Did anyone write in to support him?
Oct 20th, 2017 - 03:19 pm - Link - Report abuse -2
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Roger Lorton
Not that I am aware of.

But tell me, is it paranoia if they really are out to get you?
Oct 20th, 2017 - 10:56 pm - Link - Report abuse +3
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DemonTree
Oh? You think Mike Summers really was espousing some new HMG policy?
Oct 20th, 2017 - 11:01 pm - Link - Report abuse -2
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Think
G.................. ...

;-)
Oct 21st, 2017 - 09:31 am - Link - Report abuse -6
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Roger Lorton
No, it was a rhetorical question.

Of general application :-)
Oct 21st, 2017 - 10:34 am - Link - Report abuse +3
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Think
Rodge...
He GOTCHA...
As the Sun says...
Oct 21st, 2017 - 10:38 am - Link - Report abuse -6
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Roger Lorton
He did? How so?
Oct 21st, 2017 - 11:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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