No. 89 December 2005 Falkland Islands Newsletter Published by the Falklands Islands Association Five New Faces in LegCo Dr. Richard Davis, Mike Summers, Richard Cockwell, Dr Andrea Clausen and Janet Robertson Only three members of the previous LegCo line up have Richard Davies gained the highest number of votes in retained their seats in the 2005 General Election. Stanley. He said that he had been hopeful of being elected, Representing Stanley, new candidates Andrea Clausen, "but not confident". He explained, "It’s difficult to gauge pub- Janet Robertson and Richard Davies join Richard lic opinion but I put a lot of effort into individuals and can- Cockwell and Mike Summers, both having served on the vessing because I think that as a Councillor it is important to previous legislative council. Camp constituents voted for put the views of the Falkland Islands across." Mike Rendel and Richard Stevens to join Ian Hansen. Reacting to the result, Mike Summers - who has served on The turn out for this election was slighter higher than the council since 1996 - said, "It's an interesting mix of old hands last General Election with 69% of possible Stanley voters and new faces. It'll be interesting to see how the team shapes actually casting their votes (68.7% in 2001). Camp turn out up over the next four years." was 86% for this General Election. Higher again than 2001 at Beginning his third term on LegCo, Richard Cockwell 82.2%. echoed that sentiment: "It's a very interesting result. It's a new team of people to work with and I look forward to it". He added, "I am sure all the elected councillors will take the Islands forward as they should be." Janet Robertson said she was pleased with the result and admitted she had not really known what to expect. I'm pleased with the candidates that were successful and look forward to working with them over the next four years." Andrea Clausen said she was "absolutely thrilled" to be elected. She thanked those voters who supported her and Continued on page 2 Ian Hansen Mike Rendell Richard Stevens Page 2 Falkland Islands Newsletter - December 2005 team and keep the momentum going." Five New Faces in LegCo He said he plans to tour the Camp. "...to talk to as many Continued from page 1 people as I can as soon as possible - there is a lot to do." Richard Stevens, who served a term on Legislative promised, "I will do everything in my ability to serve them." Council in the 1990s said he was suprised to a degree, adding Ian Hansen polled the highest number of votes in the that he was delighted to be given a second chance. Camp. Reacting to the news from his farm at Main Point He hoped he could live up to the expectations of people (West Falkland), Mr Hansen - who was elected at the 2003 living in Camp, whether they voted for him or not. He was by-election - said he really thought he would struggle for very happy with his fellow Camp councillors saying he was third place but added, "I am delighted to be back on council sure he could work with them, but added that, as farmers and look forward to the next four years. dependent on sheep, he and Ian Hansen may have a different I am very happy with the Camp result and there is a good perspective on some Camp issues to that of Mike Rendell. Mr mix and match for Stanley." Stevens added that he was glad there was some continuity Speaking from his farm on Bleaker Island, Mike Rendell with the previous council. At Port Sussex, while the vote said he had been nervous about the count. He commented, "I count took place Richard said he was looking forward to a would just like to thank everyone in the Camp for their sup- celebratory drink with his family while considering the four port and confidence in voting for me." years ahead. I hope that us Camp councillors can form a really good General Election - how the voters made their mark. Stanley Stanley Camp John Birmingham - 240 Eric Goss - 276 Roger Edwards - 91 Jan Cheek - 275 Kevin Ormond - 110 Ian Hansen - 188 Andrea Clausen - 466 Phillip Middleton - 179 Philip Miller - 86 Richard Cockwell - 302 Janet Robertson - 299 Mike Rendell - 139 Richard Davies - 546 Mike Summers - 477 Richard Stevens - 121 Mike Forrest - 261 (4 votes spoilt) (no spoilt votes) John Fowler - 276 Falklands team meets Lord Triesman at Labour Party Conference Cllr. Jan Cheek, Lord Triesman, Sukey Cameron and Cllr. Roger Edwards Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Lord Triesman spent Ms Cameron said ‘We were well received and spent time updating time on the Falklands stand during the Labour Party Conference. old friends and making new ones. It was also a good opportunity to Lord Triesman met with Falkland Islands Government’s UK meet a number of the new MP’s who came in at the last election.’ Representative Sukey Cameron and Cllrs Jan Cheek and Roger The Falklands team also attended the Conservative Party Edwards. Conference. Falkland Islands Newsletter - December 2005 Page 3 Points from H.E, The Governor’s Annual Address Speaking on 24th May, His Excellency the Governor made a survey work they have undertaken so far. Exploratory onshore much shorter annual address, omitting the traditional depart- drilling for gold is already underway. Following some positive ment-by-department reports but which were available in writ- results from their seismic work, Desire Petroleum are hoping to ten form by application to the Government Secretary. bring down a rig early next year to drill exploratory wells to the After paying tribute to the public servants and bidding farewell north of the Islands. Falklands Oil and Gas Limited will be under- to some who have left during the year the Governor welcomed the taking a substantial further tranche of seismic work in their blocks new Commander British Forces, Commodore Iain Moncrieff and to the south and southeast of the Falklands to define further the his wife, Marion, who will arrive at the end of May 2005. He prospects in that area, with a view to drilling in due course. A com- underlined the continuing gratitude of the Falkland Islanders to the mercial discovery of offshore hydrocarbons could have exciting British Forces South Atlantic Islands in ensuring the security of the and far-reaching consequences for the Islands and it is not too early Islands. to be thinking through some of the implications. ‘Councillors were faced with some tough decisions’ ‘refusal to discuss cooperation’ He said that last year he had anticipated the failure of the illex He said that there is little which is positive in terms of relations squid fishery and the deterioration in relations with Argentina, with Argentina. The South Atlantic Fisheries Commission contin- which would make for a challenging period for the Islands and so ues to meet periodically to discuss the management of the south- it had proved. The consequent reduction in Government income west Atlantic fisheries but the quality of the cooperation received because of the failure of the fishery meant that once again from the Argentine side has been disappointing. Their refusal to Councillors were faced with some tough decisions. The contrasting discuss cooperation on a high seas fisheries agreement for the success of the first loligo squid season this year has provided some region on terms which the UK and Falkland Islands Governments compensation but cannot makeup for the continued failure of the could accept has been particularly regrettable, despite there clearly illex. We may therefore have to face a long term reduction in being a mutual interest in improving the quality of regional; fish- Government expenditure and this year’s budget round will require eries management. On the issue of charter flights, there has been no further steps towards a lower level of expenditure in the medium to movement, and there is currently no sign that the Argentines are long term. prepared to discuss it on terms that would be acceptable to the Regarding minerals development both on and offshore, he said Falkland Islanders. that, unless and until a commercial resource is found - whether More positive was the visit to the Islands in March by represen- gold on shore or hydrocarbons offshore - the prospects remain by tatives of the Argentine Families Commission to see the new definition speculative. There is no case yet for counting our chick- memorial at Darwin. They went out of their way to include in their ens. That said, the companies have been much encouraged by the visit the cemetery at San Carlos and the Liberation Monument in Stanley, to pay tribute to the Britons who died in the 1982 Conflict. They were visibly moved by the way in which they were received in the Islands. Meanwhile the commitment of the UK Government to Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination remains as strong as it has ever been. The Argentine Government has no excuse for mis- understanding: Falkland Islanders wish to remain British and there is no prospect of their changing their mind on this point in the fore- seeable future. The white paper ‘Partnership for Progress and Prosperity’, pub- lished by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1999 contains the most authoritative recent statement of the UK Government’s position on this subject. Describing the relationship as a ‘new part- nership’, it bases it on four fundamental principles: self determina- tion, mutual obligations and responsibilities, freedom for the terri- tories to run their own affairs to the greatest degree possible, a firm commitment from the UK to help the territories to develop eco- nomically and to assist them in emergencies.