Falkland Islands

• Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  News from Chile.

  Headlines:
  Chilean tourism turnover reaches a billion US dollars; Local company acquires Magallanes abattoir; Farewell to Punta Arenas air pioneer.

• Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Armed Australian patrolling in Southern Ocean

  Australia will boost the protection of its sovereign interests with full-time armed patrols of the remote and ecologically sensitive Southern Ocean, the Australian Government announced this week.

• Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Viarsa trial postponed.

  The crew of the Uruguayan flagged longliner “Viarsa 1”, currently retained in Fremantle will be informed next February 5 of the date of their trial for allegedly illegally fishing in Australian waters.

• Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  HMS Sheffield under new masters.

  The former Type 22 batch 2 frigate HMS Sheffield, now the Chilean FFG Almirante Williams, welcomed on board her new masters as part of a visit to Devonport Naval Base. Chilean officials anticipated they hoped to purchase two more former Royal Navy units.

• Thursday, December 18th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Fisheries News.

  Headlines:Strong Chilean peso punishes fishing industry; Vigo will host European Fishing Resources Agency; NZ Antarctic vessels join voluntary satellite monitoring; Massive increase for Brazilian Fisheries Department budget; EU country members can subsidise fishing companies; Las Palmas seeks agreements with Chinese fleet;

• Monday, December 15th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Straw cautions over ever increasing OT autonomy

  The United Kingdom cannot offer an ever-increasing degree of autonomy which would prevent it from meeting its obligations and from protecting its liabilities and responsibilities, was the clear message spelt out by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, when he addressed Overseas Territories' leaders at the Overseas Territories Consultative Council, OTCC last week in London.

• Sunday, December 14th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  UN General Assembly insists in Gibraltar “Brussels talks”

  The Unite Nations General Assembly again adopted the decision recommended by its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonisation) urging Britain and Spain to continue the Brussels talks.

• Sunday, December 14th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine Navy icebreaker “Almirante Irizar” sails from Buenos Aires this Monday to begin the “full”

  Argentine Navy icebreaker “Almirante Irizar” sails from Buenos Aires this Monday to begin the “full” Antarctic 2003/2004 campaign.

• Friday, December 12th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Tribute and thanks to Falklands champion.
  Merle Christie's half a century service

  A long-serving champion of the Falkland Islands in the campaign to protect British sovereignty has announced her retirement from the Falkland Islands Association Executive Committee. Mrs Merle Christie has worked tirelessly for the Falklands' cause for more than half a century. Even now, at the aged of 81, her expertise will not be lost. She is continuing to compile and catalogue the Association's unique archives.

• Friday, December 12th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  UK MPs monitor Argentine Falklands' action.

  As Argentina intensifies hostile pressure on the Falkland Islands, a strong message of
  support has come from the British Parliament saying the Argentine Government's actions are being kept under scrutiny.