years on from the war Falkland Islanders are winning the peace No.94 April 2008 Pilgrimage for peace of mind Two hundred and fi fty Falklands War veterans were welcomed by Islanders in November 2007. Deemed a huge success by every- “Tremendous sacrifi ce was given a much lighter heart, full of fond were needed, that the achieve- one involved, the veterans arrived and severe injury infl icted on oth- memories of a people who remain ments of the Task Force in 1982 and left the islands on a chartered ers to restore that freedom. We eternally grateful.” were so much appreciated by eve- aircraft after a busy week of re- shall never fail to recognise those Pilgrimage Leader Colonel Mike ryone in the Islands.” membrance and socialising. sacrifi ces nor the huge commit- Bowles said, “The enthusiasm, Addressing the veterans at a re- ment and dedication of the men the generosity, the hospitality zTurn to centre pages for a full re- ception held on the evening of and women who sailed with the and the kindness shown by all port by Colonel Mike Bowles on the their departure the Chairman of Task Force” of you here in the Islands to us November Pilgrimage. the 2007 Committee, Lewis Clift- He added, “As we all move for- arriving on the Pilgrimage has been Top: Scots Guards on Tumbledown on said: “The success of the 1982 ward our thoughts are still with completely overwhelming. “It is Mountain. Photo: Col. Mike Bowles. War restored our freedom and re- those who suffer and are dis- no exaggeration to say that we all Above: Young Islander Julian Pole- established our right to determine tressed. Equally at the same time, feel humbled and eternally grate- Evans is presented with a 2Para our future under the government we hope that having returned to ful for such a display of welcome. fl ag. Photo: L Johnston. of our choosing.” our shores you will depart with It has been a proof, if indeed that Editorial by Falkland Islands Association Chairman David Tatham A very happy birthday FIGO ALL members of the Associa- wonderfully central and well– ly silent. There was recognition tion will wish to congratulate the suited to Government’s needs. and applause for everything that Falkland Islands Government The current representative, Su- Islanders and their Government Offi ce in London on the 25th an- key Cameron, took over in 1990, had achieved since 1982. Last niversary of their establishment. and has proved fully worthy of – but far from least – Sukey had The actual anniversary was on her distinguished predecessors. married Mr Howard Pullen in Au- 12 January and there was an ex- She is a diplomat of great charm gust! cellent party in Falklands House and acute political sense who has For us in the Association, the on 14 January (which I was sorry made it her objective to keep in role of FIGO and its success to miss) but where very suitably close touch with Members of both in that role, mean that we have Merle Christie represented the Houses of Parliament and with ceded much of our work as a Association. Our Patron, Lady Ministers and Offi cials in succes- pressure group and relinquished Thatcher, cut the birthday cake sive Governments. At the same the offi ce in Westminster which and our President, Lord Hurd, time she runs an offi ce which pro- supported our work; we now have was also present. vides a wide range of services to desk space in Falkland House. As we all know and as articles appointed that craggy defender FIG and to Falkland Islanders in While we never relax, we can be in this Newsletter remind us, the of Falklands’ rights Adrian Monk London. Travel, recruitment, pub- grateful that FIGO is working so Government Offi ce was built on to open an offi ce and assume the lic relations, support to Islanders effectively to defend Falklands’ foundations laid by the FIA since post of representative. After two in the UK (medical patients and interests and that support for the it established its offi ce in 1976. years service, he was succeeded students) are all handled by FIGO, Islands’ right to self–determina- During the hectic months which by Alastair Cameron who ran the which also acts as a meeting point tion is general in the three main followed the Argentine invasion Offi ce from 1984 to 1987. Then for Islanders and for those who political parties at Westminster. In in April 1982, volunteers from Lewis Clifton took over and was support their cause and seek to a snide article about FIGO’s anni- the Association and Islanders in post when the Islands’ pros- protect their environment. versary, the Argentine news web- ‘stranded’ in the UK by the war pects were transformed by the The last year, 2007, has proved site, INFOBAE, described FIGO ran the Falklands Offi ce, provid- formation of the Fisheries Zone a hectic but very rewarding one as one of the “bastions of the Brit- ing information to the media and and the surge in income which for FIGO and indeed for Sukey ish occupation of the islands”. to politicians, and pressing the resulted. The surplus in Govern- Cameron personally. The 25th We in the Association would con- Islands’ case on everyone who ment revenue enabled the Falk- anniversary celebrations were sider that a well–deserved tribute would listen. land Islands Government to buy extremely successful: criticism to the work of Sukey Cameron, After the war the Falkland Is- rather than rent its own property of the Islands, and the occasional her predecessors and their staff lands Government took up the and Falkland House, 14 Broad- sniping, which was a feature of and look forward to working with challenge of defending the Is- way, (above) was bought in 1988 some British press coverage fi f- FIGO in the years ahead. lands’ interests in London and – a traditional Georgian building, teen years ago, was almost entire- Prime Minister’s New Year speech to Islanders PM:‘Compassion’ of Islanders appreciated THE Prime Minister, in his New and what she represents. the Islands. You are fortunate to Year address to the Falklands, “I know that Argentine veterans live among such magnifi cent sur- among many other references continue to visit the Islands and roundings; something that I can paid tribute to the ‘compassion’ that, with the agreement of the relate to as the Falklands bears a of Islanders in allowing Argentine Falkland Islands Government, remarkable similarity to my native next-of-kin visits. discussions are taking place with Scotland. With ongoing conser- Mr Brown began by saying “This the Argentine Families Commis- vation efforts and the hard work is a time for us to look back on sion to enable the families of the of the Falklands Tourist Board what has been a busy and emo- Argentine fallen to visit the Is- your tourist industry will continue tional year for the people of the lands. to go from strength to strength. Falkland Islands as we remem- “It is important that ordinary Ar- “Britain’s policy on Overseas bered the 25th anniversary of Ar- gentinians also have the opportu- Territories is about self-determina- gentina’s invasion of your home. nity to remember their loved ones tion, democracy and partnership. “These commemorations, in both who were sent into battle and your It is fi tting that this year, offi cials the UK and the Falkland Islands, compassion in allowing such vis- from the Foreign and Common- were a fi tting and respectful trib- its to go ahead is greatly appreci- wealth Offi ce and the Falkland ute to all those who lost their lives ated. Islands Government have begun in the confl ict, many of them de- “The anniversary saw renewed a review of the Falklands con- fending your freedom and your public and media interest in the stitution to ensure that you have right to determine your own fu- Falkland Islands and provided an a modern constitution that meets ture. opportunity to demonstrate how the needs and challenges of the In November, you welcomed successful the Falklands have Islands in the 21st century. back to the Islands some of the been in developing the territory “With the prospect of a further “As this anniversary year draws British veterans of that campaign, over the last 25 years. round of oil exploration in Falk- to a close I would like to restate many of whom were returning for “And I join you now in looking land waters, the Falkland Islands my Government’s commitment to the fi rst time and who were able forward to the future, and the op- Government will need to consider protecting the Falkland Islanders’ to remember fallen comrades and portunities we hope it will bring more fully the impact the discov- right to self-determination. I have recall memories of the confl ict. for the sustainable development ery of oil would have on the social no doubts about the UK’s sover- We all owe a debt to the courage of the Islands’ natural resources, and environmental circumstances eignty over the Falkland Islands shown by our soldiers, sailors and whilst minimising the impact on of the community. and undertake to uphold your airmen and airwomen who we your stunning natural environ- “In 2007 the Falklands was again security and everything you have call upon to defend the freedoms ment for generations of Falkland- popular with tourists, drawn by worked so hard to achieve over and values that symbolise Britain ers to come. the natural beauty and wildlife of the past 25 years.” 2 News: Falklands reviews relationship with EU Fishing Association FALKLANDS councillors along FIFTEEN fi shing companies with representatives of other recently became members of countries and Overseas Territo- the Falkland Islands Fish- ries recently met to discuss the ing Company Association composition of a paper reviewing (FIFCA) at their inaugural their relationship with the Euro- Annual General Meeting in pean Union.