No. 104 April 2013 IINSIDENSIDE FFalklandsalklands nnewsews RReferendumeferendum ppeopleeople ppoliticsolitics ooilil aandnd mmineralsinerals cconservationonservation fi sshinghing ttourismourism Editorial by FIA Chair Alan Huckle Falkland Islands he referendum on Falkland Islands in 1833 T10-11 March will be is simply not true. We Association an opportunity for the merely invited – politely Newsletter Falkland Islanders to – the Argentine military indicate, in a democratic garrison, which had been Published by: and independently present for only a few The Falkland Islands monitored plebiscite, months, to leave. There Association, whether they wish to was no Argentine civilian Falkland House, remain a UK Overseas population as such. London Territory. Similarly, the Argentine SW1H OBH The result should Government accuses send a fi rm signal the UK Government of Tel 0845 260 4884 to the Argentine militarising the region. ISSN 0262-9399 Government that the This ignores their own Falkland Islanders will illegal act of aggression Edited by: not countenance any in 1982. The British Sharon Jaf ray negotiations on a future military presence on the Stanley transfer of sovereignty Islands is solely there, Falkland Islands to Argentina. defensively, to deter Tel 00 500 52739 The Argentine Government has found against any future such threat. And against [email protected] it diffi cult to respond to the calling of a the Argentine Government’s assertion that referendum. Foreign Minister Timerman’s we are breaching the nuclear weapons- Editorial Committee visit to the UK last month was inept and free provisions of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, Ms Cindy Buxton (Chair) badly handled. His refusal to meet the the UK Government has had to remind Mr David Tatham CMG Foreign Secretary if Falkland Island people that we ratifi ed the protocols to Mr David Ainslie representatives were present merely the Treaty in 1969 and continue to honour Mrs M Christie alienated British public opinion and pointed their provisions. Mr Saul Pitaluga up to the Argentine media and people The referendum has given the Falkland the futility and lack of diplomatic fi nesse Islanders an opportunity to explain Advertising: in their Government’s approach to the their position to a wider international Full page £250 issue. The Argentine Government belittles audience. Visits to the Islands by media Half page £125 the Falkland Islanders and betrays their representatives from South America (and Quarter page £65 own lack of true democratic values when by a US Congressional delegation) will Eighth page £35 they try to present the issue as a bilateral have shown them how very British the Short insert £3 per line sovereignty dispute in which the Islanders Islands are. The media invasion to cover can have no say. the referendum will allow the Islanders WEBSITE Contrast this with the UK Government’s to make their voice heard – and the position that bases itself fi rmly on Islands’ elected representatives will take www.i association.com the Falkland Islanders’ right to self- the message to key capitals in the region determination, as enshrined in the UN and elsewhere. We can only hope that the Release of copyright charter – a democratic right to determine Argentine will listen to, rather than continue their own future and not to be bullied by to ignore, the voice of democracy in action. The Editorial Committee the Argentine Government which seeks to The Falkland Islanders have much to releases all copyrights deny their right to speak as a people. talk to the Argentine Government about on the content of So, the Argentine Government distorts in terms of regional and mutual co- the Falkland Islands the truth with its own version of history. operation. It is a shame that this Argentine Newsletter except on The Argentine claim that the British Administration refuses to do so. pictures, cartoons and expelled an Argentine population from the maps. Other publications are invited to quote r Colin Roberts CVO has been freely. Mappointed Governor of the Falkland Islands and Commissioner of South Howevever, we ask that Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. quotations are made in He will succeed Mr Nigel Robert context and the Falkand Haywood CVO, who will be transferring to Islands Newsletter another Diplomatic Service appointment. acknowledged as the Mr Roberts will take up his appointment source. during April 2014. Mr Roberts joined the FCO in 1989. He is currently Director for For further information Eastern Europe and Central Asia having turn to the inside back he Falklands Islands has issued a served as Director for the Overseas page or alternatively Tset of four stamps and a souvenir Territories from 2008-2012. His FCO contact the Editor Sharon sheet to mark the 2013 Falkland Islands career has covered a wide range of roles Jaf ray (contact details referendum. including European Union affairs, security above). The stamps, with values of 3p, 40p, policy, Eastern Europe and the Far East 75p and £1.76 are each printed in a as well as the Overseas Territories. different colour and feature an image Mr Roberts said he was delighted PRINTED BY: of a hand inserting a vote into a ballot to be appointed. “I am a great admirer Platinum Press Ltd box which carries a design showing the of the achievements of the people of Tel 0844 880 4722 the Falkland Islands. I look forward to www.PlatinumPressLimited.co.uk islands. The accompanying souvenir sheet has the same design, along with working with the community and their the actual question which will be asked elected representatives for a secure and in the referendum: prosperous future.” 2 Referendum on political status Do you wish the Falklands to retain their current political status as an Overseas ES Territory of the United Kingdom?YYES The community gathers on Ross Road after Sunday’s rally Picture (copyright) Tony Chater inety-two per cent of the 1,650 While the referendum count in our long history there could be no Npeople registered turned out took place in the Town Hall under misinterpretation about the Islanders to vote on March 10 and 11 with a the watchful eye of independent relationship with Britain. whopping 99.8 per cent answering international observers, revellers “It is a relationship that has evolved yes to the question, “Do you wish the gathered at the festively lit Whale over centuries, and one that we are Falkland Islands to retain their current Bone Arch to await the outcome. The proud to maintain. We have moved political status as an Overseas result was never in doubt but with far beyond our colonial past. Ours is a Territory of the United Kingdom? typical patriotic pride the Islanders modern relationship, based on mutual Only three people opted to vote were hopeful for a high ‘yes’ vote , respect and democratic values,” said ‘No’. at least in the nineties. Their wish MLA Short. The community worked together was granted and the 99.8 per cent in The referendum had been held throughout the weekend to back favour announcement was greeted not because there were any doubts up the offi cial message to the world with great roars of appreciation across about who we are, and what future we that they are happy with their current the Islands. desire, but to show the world just how political status with events in and Head of the International very certain we are about it, he said, around Stanley. Observation Mission Brad Smith adding: “That is exactly what we have Journalists arriving on Saturday said it was their fi nding that the done,” he said. were greeted with the word YES referendum process had been, “free “With a resounding majority we have marked out in 4x4 vehicles on the and fair, refl ecting the democratic will announced to the world that we are Camber between the names of of the voters of the Falkland Islands.” content with our current status, and former Falklands protection ships He said the mission had concluded that we have no wish to be governed Barracouta and Beagle. The main that the voting process was executed by Argentina. In doing so we have event on Sunday was a rally through in accordance with international dispelled the myths that Argentina the town starting at the west end of standards and local law.” tries to cultivate: we do not exist under the harbour with a giant ‘Y’ shaped by Ten international observers from the yoke of a colonial power, neither approximately 400 vehicles snaking North and South America and New are we held here against our wishes, down the Murrell road and Two Sisters Zealand observed static polling nor are we an implanted population track. stations in Stanley, Goose Green, illegally occupying these Islands.” Led by horse riders bearing Union Port Howard and Fox Bay and Prime Minister David Cameron has and Falklands fl ags, the colourful trailed mobile polling stations in East called on Argentina to respect the and already celebratory procession and West Falklands, as well as four wishes of the people of the Falkland proceeded through town before outlying islands to observe the voting Islands after the overwhelming vote gathering on Ross Road by Victory process. for the territory to stay British. Mr Green for a group photograph. Addressing the press on Tuesday Cameron said Argentina should take Motorbikes, quads, bicycles and even morning MLA Gavin Short said: “I am “careful note” of the referendum result a vintage Morris Minor car and Ford proud, both of our people, and of our and that Britain would always be there County tractor joined the hundreds of community for last night our country to “defend the Falkland Islanders.” decorated 4x4s in what has to be one made its voice heard.” S Jaffray of the biggest community events in He said a clear message had been Falklands history.