In a robust re-affirmation of British sovereignty of the Falklands Islands and continuing military defence of the Islanders' security, the British Foreign Office Minister responsible for South American issues, Mr John Battle, MP, said Britain's 21st Century partnership with the Islands for progress and prosperity must be founded on Falklanders deciding their own future, self-determination.
With just a couple of days before the first anniversary of the Argentine-British July 14th. Statement, Argentina's Foreign Secretary Adalberto Rodríguez Giavarini addressing the United Nations Decolonisation Committee in New York clearly outlined the new administration's policy towards the Falkland Islands and officially buried Guido Di Tella's Islanders seduction policy.
A unique Falkland Islands Government Forum on the scope for economic development and investment opportunities has opened in London with optimistic assessments for further offshore oil exploration and for expansion of an already highly successful fishing industry. The Forum ( on July 12) entitled Sustaining a Secure Future, attracted more than 125 delegates, including technical experts, businessmen and potential investors, academics, politicians and journalists.
In a strong re-assertion of its confidence in the future of the Falkland Islands, its Government has organised a major Forum in London on the scope for economic development and investment opportunities.
An intriguing report that an Argentine special forces bomb squad was arrested in the Spanish town of Cadiz on a secret mission to blow up a British warship and a support vessel in Gibraltar harbour during the 1982 Falklands Conflict has appeared in the London Sunday Times newspaper.
A denial by the British Government that Prime Minister Blair's personal envoy, Lord Levy, was to have talks in Argentina and Chile on a now postponed visit to South America has been challenged by the British newspaper, The Mail on Sunday, which carried the original report a week previously.
There are good possibilities to strengthen trade and tourist relations between Magallanes Region and the Falklands, and transport should be increased further, said British Ambassador in Chile Gregory Faulkner during an official visit to Punta Arenas where he was also present to welcome the HMS Dumbarton Castle.