MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands Police correct Argentine flag incident coverage
The Royal Falkland Islands Police station in Stanley The Royal Falkland Island Police have corrected reports in the Argentine press this week. Eight men filmed holding banners and singing at the Argentine military cemetery had been reported in their national press as having been detained for two days in “a tense situation.”
One of the Argentines, Luis Escobedo, spoke to the newspaper Clarin, complaining that they were treated as if they were criminals.
Two of Argentina’s leading newspapers gave the impression in their reports that their citizens had been detained in police cells.
Escobedo also claimed that a “judge absolved them,” Clarin reported. In fact no judge was involved at any point.
Detective Sergeant Barney Allcock told Penguin News that the men were allowed to remain in their hotel, leaving one at a time to be questioned under caution at the police station.
“At no point was anyone incarcerated,” said DS Allcock. “Everyone was treated equally and with dignity.”
After being questioned, the men were released on police bail, until Attorney General Simon Young decided not to proceed with a prosecution.
At that point, the men’s property was returned to them, and they were advised by DS Allcock on the lack of sensitivity they had shown towards Islanders. (PN)
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Read all commentsThis was an episode of appalling behaviour by a bunch of village louts - not true veterans paying respects to their fallen comrades.Disrespectfull to fallen and disrespectfull to their God.
Mar 29th, 2019 - 10:28 am +3The 100% opposite of how the Arg. Families Commission require visitors to behave in their Cemetery.
Exactly the sort of behaviour that will result in the Falklands refusing to allow any future group families visits as were organised 3 weeks ago and in March 2018.
Then to come up with a string of lies and feed them to the Argentine press to try and make themselves heroes instead of loutish idiots just shows their attitude.
Fortunately 95% of those who visit the Cemetery are civilised and respectfull of their own people whom lie there- and we Islanders - but the 5% will soon ruin it all
for everyone if this sort of thing happens again.
Think,
Mar 29th, 2019 - 04:29 pm +2never was a conclusion on that incident- equally likey-given the politics at the time- that it was done locally at the disguised request of the K. Govt in Argentina for political reasons- makes Islanders look bad,
The current required behaviour standards of the Arg Families Commission ( and also given the “nod” by your Min of For,Affairs folks) make sit clear to visitors that if they offend
they may well face deportation - and that Was the Argentines that wrote that in - not our side.
And its not in the middle of nowhere- close the main road from Stanley and Mount Pleasant where the British forces base is and regularily visited.
Think,
Mar 29th, 2019 - 06:29 pm +2PTSD affects a lot. more that just elderly ladies. suppose what you regard as your by birthright and generations of your family and others have created - suddenly being invaded by - say the North koreans, the resultant war ends the lives of several whom you know well and destroys much of your property before finally restoring your freedom and choice to you - but said nation let alone apologises for a wrongdoing(by modern standards)- but continues to very noisely continue claiming your homeland and making life as difficult as possible for you, whilst also claiming that you actually have no right to have a say in your own future anyway.
Now would you be happy with the flag of that nation and politically inspired banners being waved about the place.
In a civilised society like the Islands we regard a military cemetery as miles and miles above politics and the peaceful final resting place of those who put on their country,s uniform and gave their lives for it in war- regardless of which side.
Then majority of Argentines also feel this way- and although no doubt differing greatly with us on the political issue- keep personal feelings to the inside whilst here - and pay respect and acknowledge the respect Islanders offer as well.
Luckily the Idiots are in the minority - but they run the risk of spoiling it for everyone.
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