Falkland Islands Newsletter PPublishedublished bbyy TThehe FFalklandalkland IIslandsslands AAssociationssociation wwww.ww.fi aassociation.comssociation.com NNoo 111212 AAprilpril 22017017 ppeopleeople eeventsvents ppoliticsolitics iindustriesndustries ssportport nnewsews Falkland Islands editorial Association Newsletter by FIA Chairman Alan Huckle Published by: The Falkland Islands o far this year, political attention in the just those requiring amending legislation, Association, SUK has been fi xated on the impact should be put to them for authorisation. Falkland House, of Donald Trump’s assumption of the US London Presidency and on Brexit. Both will have On fi sheries, there was agreement SW1H OBH implications for the Falkland Islands but it on the importance of data exchange on is too early to say exactly what they will be. fi sh stocks in the South Atlantic, with the Tel 020 3764 0824 i prospect that this could be put in place honsec [email protected] For the moment, all the signs are that this year. It was also agreed that fuller ISSN 0262-9399 President Trump stands fi rmly by the US-UK discussions should be held on setting up a special relationship. Much can be inferred regional fi sheries management regime for Edited by: f from the fact that the UK Prime Minister the SW Atlantic. But there was no mention Sharon Ja ray was the fi rst head of government to meet of progress towards lifting the Argentine Stanley him formally after his inauguration – and restrictions on trade with the Falkland Falkland Islands she secured helpful clarity on his support Islands. Tel 00 500 52739 for NATO. It was also good to hear the [email protected] snort of derision by the US representative Things seem more hopeful on the in the UN Security Council when the DNA identifi cation of unknown Argentine Editorial Committee Russian Ambassador suggested that the soldiers buried in the Darwin cemetery. The Ms Cindy Buxton (Chair) UK should ‘hand back’ the Falkland Islands International Committee of the Red Cross Mr David Tatham CMG (and Gibraltar) before criticising Russia’s (ICRC) convened a meeting in Geneva Mr David Ainslie annexation of the Crimea in Ukraine. in December, which agreed the logistical Mrs Merle Christie and technical issues involved. Another Mr Saul Pitaluga On Brexit, the Prime Minister has set out ICRC team is in the Falkland Islands at twelve negotiating principles in her January the time of writing to refi ne their plan for Website i Lancaster House speech. These were work to start in June or July. Unfortunately, www. association.com elaborated in a White Paper (CM 9417) the gross act of vandalism which damaged which gave a reassurance that “we will the statue of the Virgin of Lujan and Release of copyright continue to involve them [i.e. the Overseas its protective case at the cemetery in Territories (OTs) and Crown Dependencies] January has not helped the process and The Editorial Committee fully in our work, respect their interests and has been roundly condemned by the UK releases all copyrights engage with them as we enter negotiations, and Falkland Islands Governments; police on the content of and strengthen the bonds between us as investigations continue. the Falkland Islands we forge a new relationship with the EU…”. Newsletter except At the time of writing this editorial, Michael We must not think that the softer tone on pictures, cartoons Poole MLA and Diane Simsovic from FIG’s of the Macri administration implies any and maps. Other Central Secretariat will attend the fi rst change in Argentina’s continued demands publications are invited meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council on sovereignty. They say that they want to quote freely. on EU Negotiations, set up to discuss OT to build suffi cient confi dence in the long concerns about the UK leaving EU Single term for sovereignty negotiations to Howevever, we ask that Market and Customs Union.It is important. begin but this chimera fl ies in the face of quotations are made in Over 70% of the Falkland Islands’ GDP is the Falkland Islanders’ desire to remain context and the Falkand dependent on access to the EU. as a British Overseas Territory. The UK Islands Newsletter Government has made it repeatedly clear acknowledged as the As for relations with Argentina, there that sovereignty discussions are not on source. has been some movement since the Joint offer. Communique issued in September last – ***** For further information see the FIA website: www.fi association. On FIA matters, we welcome the formation turn to the inside back com. of a new FIA sub-committee, under the page or alternatively leadership of Mark Pollard, in the Falkland contact the Editor f A follow-up meeting in London in Islands. This was a positive result of a Sharon Ja ray (contact December, attended by MLAs Mike promotional visit by Executive Committee, details above). Summers and Phyl Rendell, agreed Beverley McLeod, in December-January. a process for setting up an additional The role of the new sub-committee will be scheduled fl ight to the Falkland islands from to represent the FIA in the Falkland Islands AAdvertising:dvertising: a third country in the region provided that and to help us become more effective in DDetailsetails insideinside backback there was a stopover in Argentina (as with what we do. ccoverover the current weekly LATAM fl ight from Punta ***** Arenas which puts down once a month each We mourn the death of Sir Cosmo way in Rio Gallegos). The Argentinians Haskard, aged 100 years, who as Printed by: of course expect this second fl ight to be Governor of the Falkland Islands in 1964 Platinum Press Ltd conducted by their national airline, which - 1970 was so important in protecting the Tel 0844 880 4722 is not what the Falkland Islanders want, Islands from potentially being handed over www.PlatinumPressLimited.co.uk having experienced Argentine control over to the Argentina against the wishes of the their air communications in the 1970s. Islanders. He was a strong supporter of Argentina’s Congress may make this all the the FIA and one of our most distinguished more diffi cult by insisting that all matters Vice - Presidents. arising out of the Joint Communique, not 2 Association news Mark Pollard presents Bernie Goodwin of Beauchene Gerald Cheek who has worked tirelessly for the Fishing with a plaque as fi rst corporate sponsor FIA since its early days presents Fiona Wallace of Fortuna Ltd with a plaque in recognition of the fi shing company’s corporate sponsorship. FIA sub-committee ortuna’s generous donation of £8,000 will be used to Fdevelop the Associations IT systems. Ms Wallace said the FIA played an important role in well supported raising awareness about the Falkland Islands and its hairman of the Falkland Islands Association’s (FIA) sub people. “Fortuna Ltd is very pleased to be able to make Ccommittee Mark Pollard urged people to join-up and this contribution towards an association that works hard help in pushing the message forward that Islanders have in that role.” the right to determine their own future at a packed reception Mark Pollard said it was, “an incredible donation from at Government House on January 24. Mr Pollard reminded Fortuna.” He added, “This money will enable us to the gathering of how the FIA had campaigned for Falkland update our database and help us to become much more Islanders in the dark days of the late 60s, 70s and early 80s. effi cient in not just our drive to recruit more members, “The Falkland Islands Association exists to assist the but also to help the reach of the FIA.” people of the Falkland Islands to determine their own future for themselves. It maintains awareness about Argentina’s sovereignty claim and seeks to correct the distortions of history conducted by others,” said Mr Pollard, adding, “It also highlights the modern day Falkland Islands and celebrates our successes.” He said he felt humbled by the exhaustive work carried out by the Association over a period of almost 50 years on behalf of Falkland Islanders. The Association asked for nothing in return, “but the funds to push the message stronger and further afi eld that, Falkland Islanders are a people who have the right to determine their own future,” he said. Mr Pollard explained that the sub-committee in the Falklands had been set up to better engage with and to ensure that the FIA remains relevant to Falkland Islanders. “I believe that we as Falkland Islanders should always maintain the right to determine our own future. The Falkland Islands Association is devoted to ensuring this right remains, John Pollard, Mike Forrest, Steve Vincent and Andrea always. Please join us and help to enforce this right,” said Mr Clausen at Government House Pollard. Hamish Wylie and Eugene Hurley; Jax Summers, Bev McLeod and Emma Brook; Carol Phillips and Colleen Ford 3 News Brexit concerns raised with UK Ministers LA Michael Poole raised the scientifi c research projects was also MFalkland Islands Government’s important. concerns about the impact of Brexit at OT representatives also had a the fi rst meeting of the Joint Ministerial brief opportunity to meet the UK Council on European Negotiations, Prime Minister, Theresa May, at held in London in February. No 10. Further meetings of the new The two-day forum, promised at Ministerial Group were promised in the regular annual Joint Ministerial preparing for the EU negotiations Council between UK Ministers and (and as they progressed). elected representatives of the UK MPs visiting the Falklands on a MLA Michael Poole stressed the Overseas Territories last December, sponsored visit in March were also importance of the EU market for was attended by the Rt.