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No. 101 October 2011 INSIDE Falklands news people politics sport oil and minerals conservation fi shing agriculture tourism philately 1 Editorial by FIA Chair David Tatham CMG Falkland Islands Association Newsletter Published by: South Atlantic prospects The Falkland Islands In April the South Atlantic to the hope that oil could makes up 0.5% of the entire Association, Council sponsored a only be exploited through British defence budget. But Falkland House, conference in the “Institute bases on the mainland or any new wealth will have to London of Statecraft” at the by using Argentine labour. be handled with tact. Many SW1H OBH University of Westminster. I Events have proved them people in the UK do not and several other members simply wrong. Others realise that in British law Tel 0845 260 4884 of the FIA Committee warned darkly that any the resources of Overseas ISSN 0262-9399 asked to be invited and – fl ow of oil money would Territories belong to the after some hesitation we have corrosive effects on Territories themselves, not Edited by: were. No Islanders were the Islanders’ way of life or to the United Kingdom. It Lisa Watson present, although our environment and that rough- will be necessary to up-date Penguin News Vice-President, Ted Clapp, necks from the oil-rigs the “Battle Day Letter” of Stanley attended and received a would beat up the Stanley 1991, in which Councillors Falkland Islands round of applause for his pubs (here Ted Clapp committed themselves editor@penguinnews. contribution. It was a good pointed out that they could to bear a larger share of co.fk opportunity to take stock of not be rougher than the defence expenditure if oil British views on the current whalers were in the sixties!) income increased rapidly. Editorial Committee scene in the South Atlantic. In general what was striking We in the FIA will need to Ms Cindy Buxton (Chair) We usually consider the was that the prophets of make clear to the British Mr David Tatham CMG South Atlantic Council to doom were simply unaware public that FIG is paying its Mr David Ainslie be our sparring partners of how much planning fair share. Major R Spafford because they have and preparation had The current Argentine Mrs M Christie generally taken a soft line already been undertaken Defence Minister said on Mr Saul Pitaluga on Argentine pretensions. in Stanley to manage the 7 August that Argentina is Not so at present. It was environmental and social not going to make British Advertising: noteworthy that almost impacts of oil prospection “occupation” of the Islands Full page £250 no-one spoke up for the and eventual exploitation. any easier. Indeed Argentine Half page £125 Kirschner governments It now seems possible policy during the Kirschner Quarter page £65 whose aggressive policy that suffi cient oil has years has been one of Eighth page £35 toward the Islands was already been discovered obstruction and abuse. Short insert £3 per line generally deplored, involving by Rockhopper Exploration But Argentina has signally as it has done, the breaking to make exploitation failed to prevent exploration www.fi association.com of agreements with Britain worthwhile. If so, it will for oil or to infl ict signifi cant on oil and fi sheries. Indeed change the scene radically, damage on the economy Release of copyright an Argentine academic in the medium term by of the Islands. It is clear present made an eloquent ensuring an ample fl ow that when the time comes The Editorial Committee plea for a re-assessment of funds to the Falkland they will be equally unable releases all copyrights of policy in Buenos Aires, Islands Government for the to prevent the extraction of on the content of complaining that the current foreseeable future. It will oil from Falklands waters. the Falkland Islands obsession with the Malvinas also remove the misguided Despite the policies of the Newsletter except on was “a heavy mortgage for accusation that the Islands Argentine government, the pictures, cartoons and my country”. are a drain on the British prospects for Islanders are maps. Other publications Oil was also discussed – defence budget. In fact brighter than they have are invited to quote freely. some of those present clung defending the Islands only been for some years. Howevever, we ask that quotations are made in Congratulations Ted and Jean 1961-2011 context and the Falkand Islands Newsletter acknowledged as the All members of the source. FIA send hearty congratulations For further information to our Vice- turn to the inside back President and page or alternatively former Treasurer/ contact the Editor Lisa Secretary Ted Watson, who works Clapp and his wife from the offi ces of the Jean who have just Penguin News, Stanley, celebrated their Falkland Islands with the Golden Wedding. permission of Falkland They were married Islands Media Trust. in the Cathedral in Stanley on 22 July PRINTED BY: 1961. Platinum Press (UK) Ltd In Ted’s words: Tel 0844 880 4722 “the golden years that started on that Front picture by Nancy blustery rainy day Jennings. fi fty years ago. Happy Memories.” 2 News - politics Sawle By-election brings explodes back veteran member myths A Falkland Islands Government representative in June assertively exploded Argentine myths about the history of the sovereignty of the Islands while another invited the Chair of the Special Commit- tee of 24 (C24) on Decolonisation Chair to visit the Falklands. Member of Legislative Assem- bly (MLA) Dick Sawle attending the C24 along with MLA Roger Edwards, informed the commit- tee, “Argentine Foreign Minister Timerman will claim later this morning that an Argentine civilian population was expelled from the Falklands in 1833. “In 1833, Britain did expel an Argentine military garrison that had been sent to the Islands three months earlier, but the small civilian population present on the Islands in 1833 was en- couraged to remain and all but four individuals decided to do so Local TV and MLAs witness Summers’ swearing in by Acting Governor – not forty, four hundred or four Ric Nye at Government House. Picture by Lisa Watson thousand, but four. “Argentina may wish to replace MIKE Summers, who served for the street: “Mike has always excelled its rhetoric with evidence and 13 years on the Falkland Islands in international affairs and that is what detail to support its claim that an Legislative Assembly before being he based his manifesto on.” Argentine civilian population was ousted in the 2009 general election, Norman Clark took third place with expelled by force. Both British won by a clear majority in the Stanley 96 votes. John Birmingham 87 and and Argentine historical accounts byelection held on June 24. Ian Hansen 49. do not support this Argentine Picking up 38.3 per cent of the votes, Legislative Assembly government theory.” 83 more than Steve Vincent who The Falkland Islands Legislative MLA Sawle referred to Argen- took 177 votes, Mr Summers said he Assemly consists of eight members, tina’s broken promises in relation was, “very pleased to be re-elected, fi ve representing Stanley and three to the 1999 Agreement on the I suspect the vote refl ects concerns representing the Camp constituency Falklands between Britain and about the Argentine position and I (the rural community outside of Argentina and the country’s at- hope I can bring some experience to Stanley). It is Chaired by the Speaker tempts to restrict external com- add to the team’s work in countering and includes two ex-offi cio members: munications and the economy. Argentine claims.” the Chief Executive and the Director “The end result is that any bridg- Second placed candidate Mr of Corporate Resources. es that we may have attempted Vincent said he was disappointed The Attorney General and to build between our two coun- not to be elected, but offered his Commander British Forces South tries have been destroyed by this congratulations to Mr Summers, Atlantic Islands (CBFSAI) are also unilateral action,” he said. who he said he was sure would do entitled to attend Legislative Assembly MLA Roger Edwards invited the a good job. Mr Vincent said he was meetings. committee chairman to visit the encouraged by the amount of votes Each year the elected Members of Islands, “to see for yourself our he had received and it had convinced the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) elect unique way of life and freedoms him to stand in the next general three of their number to the policy that we enjoy.” election. Mr Summers was, he said, a making body of the Government, He spoke of the Islands’ healthy “very good statesman.” Executive Council. Executive Council economy - the development of Asked if she was surprised by the is chaired by HE the Governor. fi sheries and tourism, along with result MLA Emma Edwards said: Membership includes the same the excellent education system “Yes and no, Mike has a lot of loyal ex-offi cio members who sit on the and modern communications. supporters in Stanley. I would like to Legislative Assembly. In addition, the MLA Edwards said he believed have seen fresh blood though, simply Attorney General and CBFSAI may the Islands enjoyed a level of because it is always good to get new attend and speak on any matter. independence and democracy people to experience what council is Each MLA takes responsibility for a “many nations would be proud like.” particular portfolio and works closely of.” Former Assembly Member Andrea with the relevant departments, but Clausen said the result was totally does not have the role of a Minister. what she expected from the word on 3 News - politics PM: Falklands British full stop end of story “AS long as the Falkland Islands when he next sees the President of the superb bravery, skill and cour- want to be a sovereign British ter- the United States that negotiations age of all our armed forces who took ritory, they should remain sovereign over the Falkland Islands with Argen- part in that action.

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