FIA August 09.Indd

No.97 October 2009 Divers from the Falklands Shallow Marine Surveys Group capture on camera two sea lions playing amongst soaring strands of giant kelp. See page 25 for a full feature and more stunning images of the diversity of plants and animals in the shallow seas around the Falklands Islands. Falkland Islands Editorial by FIA Chairman David Tatham Association Newsletter Whitehall’s Circassian Circle Published by the Falkland Islands Perhaps it is just my age but Association, Ministers not only seem to be Falkland House, getting younger, they seem to 14 Broadway, be moving faster and faster. London Indeed the ministerial changes SW1H OBH at the FCO seem to resemble Tel 0845 260 4884 the Falklands’ favourite dance ISSN 0262-9399 – the Circassian Circle. Three changes of junior minister in EDITED BY: eight months is surely push- Ms Lisa Johnston, ing it, with a fourth no doubt SeAled PR to come at the general election Brandon Road which must be no more than a Stanley year away. Falkland Islands It is clearly bad for good Tel +500 22432 government to change capable [email protected] ministers too frequently, what- ever their job. But it is particu- EDITORIAL larly unfortunate when the job COMMITTEE is the supervision of the UK’s Ms Cindy Buxton (Chair) Overseas Territories. Because to defend themselves – if they avuncular fi gure whom the Mr David Tatham CMG the OTs are all small socie- were not they would already leaders of the Territories and Mr D G Ainslie ties each with their own char- have proceeded to independ- their people can get to know Major R Spafford acteristics and problems and ence. and rely on – the House of Mrs M Christie Mr Saul Pitaluga each with strong personalities Since 1982 the Falklands Lords is full of likely candi- elected to their councils. – which is the territory most dates. The idea that the rela- ADVERTISING A minister needs to know under threat – has been well tionship between Great Britain Full page £250 the territories, to have visited defended and Islanders are and the OTs may have any- Half page £125 them, to know his Turks from grateful to the British govern- thing parental in it at all may Quarter page £65 his Virgins, to realise that he ment and the armed forces for send shudders through the Eighth page £35 can not simply fl y off to St the protection they provide. politically correct corridors of Short insert £3 Helena and to understand why But on the civil side, the the Foreign Offi ce – but the per line “negotiation” which is usually citizens and leaders of the fact is it does, especially when a good word in diplomacy, OTs need to have a minister seen from the territories. will not wash in the Falkland in Whitehall whom they know Mother country, father fi g- Islands. In addition he should and respect and who will fi ght ure, big brother, or just Dutch know the personalities he their corner for them in the in- uncle, there is a duty of care has to deal with, the men and ter-departmental tussles which which is more than military women whom the people of are a necessary part of British and it would be good to be- the territories elected to repre- government. lieve that offi cials and minis- sent them. Perhaps the next govern- ters in London recognised it. For the OTs are not just an- ment of whichever party will Above: Most recent Min- other job in the Foreign Offi ce accept that their FCO junior isters responsible for Over- briefcase. These are societies minister responsible for the seas Territories: Top left: Gil- for which the UK is directly OTs need not be a fl yer on his lian Merron; Top right: Meg responsible – almost by defi ni- or her way up to the political Munn; below Chris Bryant. Release of copyright tion they are small and unable heights, but a solid reliable Photos: www.fco.gov.fk The Editorial Committee releases all copyrights on the content of the Falkland Islands Newsletter except on pictures,cartoons and www.penguin-news.com maps. Other publica- tions are invited to quote freely. However, we ask that quotations are made in context and the Falkland Islands Newsletter acknowledged as the source. For further information turn to inside back page or alternatively contact Lisa Johnston or Sarah Clement at SeAled PR. PRINTED BY: Platinum Press (UK) Ltd Your window to news and life in the Falkland Islands Tel 0844 880 4722 Phone +500 22684 or email: [email protected] 2 News - politics Islands have neighbours from hell FIG simpler structure Next Governor says visiting Member of Parliament Her Majesty’s Consul General “A SIMPLER management in Basra Iraq will be the next structure with fewer people at Governor of the Falkland Is- the top and with more freedom lands and Commissioner for for managers to get on with South Georgia and the South things,” will be the result of a Sandwich Islands. restructure of government to Cornishman Nigel Hay- be implemented in October, wood joined the UK Foreign explained Falkland Islands and Commonwealth Offi ce in Government Chief Executive 1983 before tours in Ireland, Tim Thorogood in May. Budapest, Israel and Lebanon. The restructure was based In 1992 he became Deputy on a review of government Consul General Johannesburg that, “...involved discussions and then Counsellor and Dep- with staff at all levels, mem- uty Head of Delegation, UK- bers of the public and business DEL OSCE in 1996. He be- communities, Councillors and came Ambassador to Tallinn, the Governor in identifying Estonia in 2003 before his “THE Falklands have neigh- last 20-25 years. They’ve got FIG’s strengths and weake- move to Basra in 2008. bours from hell,” is how vis- much more to gain than they nesses and gaining ideas on He will take up post in the iting Conservative Member have to lose quite frankly.” how to improve on things.” Falkland Islands in September of Parliament Brian Bingley In the meantime to allevi- Instead of the nine current 2010 at a date to be announced described Argentina’s attitude ate pressure from Argentina, in top management posts in the later. to the islands, when he vis- particular with regard to fl ight civil service, there will even- Mr Haywood is said to be ited along with Labour MP restrictions, Britain should be tually (after four years) be a keen sports fi sherman and Madeleine Moon in February. doing exactly what they are seven posts. This will result in marathon runner. He trained The MP for Northampton doing now, said Mrs Moon, a saving of £200,000 per year at Sandhurst and spent three South concluded that the Falk- Labour MP for Bridgend: once the changes have bedded years in the British Army be- lands people, of whom he had “Britain is quietly and very in, said Mr Thorogood. fore leaving in 1980. talked to a broad cross-section, persistently holding a line He said the restructure, “... He is currently undertak- were the most important asset and holding a conversation, involves challenges and possi- ing an MSc in Biodiversity of the Islands. Unfortunately, because if you are not talking bly some pain and is unlikely Conservation. Mr Haywood he added, “...the Falklands to someone you can’t make to please everyone all of the is married to Louise, a water- have, “neighbours from hell.” change.” time. colourist. Mr Bingley added, “I am Above: Legislative Assem- “But the result will be that hopeful that there will come a bly Members with Members Falkland Islanders retain good Falklands to C24 time in Argentina that they see of Parliament Brian Bing- public services at a cost they AT the June meeting of the working together has much ley (second from left) and can afford. That for me makes United Nations Special Com- more to recommend it than the Madeleine Moon (far right) . it worth doing.” mittee on Decolonisation in activity we have seen over the Photo: Penguin News. New York, Legassy Member Janet Robertson criticised Ar- gentina for its continued dis- New Speaker for Legislative Assembly Islands plan update ruptive conduct towards the THE Government’s ‘Islands Falklands. THE Honourable Keith Biles Plan’ is to be formally adopted She said, “withdrawal JP became Speaker for the by the Legislative Assembly from regional co-operation Legislative Assembly in Feb- (Legassy). on fi sheries and hydrocarbons ruary. The Legassy says many agreements until such time as The Speaker is chosen components of the Plan, such sovereignty is placed on the from the community and by as improving education and agenda for discussion, the election of Legislative As- health, were already included ban on charter fl ights across sembly and is appointed for in the regular budget. By link- Argentine airspace unless we the term of a council (4 years). ing it to the legislative proc- use Argentine carriers to and Re-appointment to the role ess, Leg. Member Clausen from an Argentine airfi eld, is possible. The fi rst Speaker said, budget managers could the insistence of using since was appointed in 2002. be sure their department was, it’s creation in 1982 the name The primary function is to “...meeting the business objec- Puerto Argentino instead of preside over Legislative As- retired from that position in tives of the country.” Stanley, despite the fact that sembly meetings, a role pre- 2002. the town did not exist prior to viously undertaken by HE the He is active in many roles Biodiversity Strategy 1842, all point to a level of ag- Governor.

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