Falkland Islands Newsletter NNoo 110808 AAprilpril 22015015 PPublishedublished bbyy TThehe FFalklandalkland IIslandsslands AAssociationssociation wwww.fiww.fi aassociation.comssociation.com 11914914 centenarycentenary ppeopleeople eeventsvents ppoliticsolitics nnewsews Falkland Islands editorial Association Newsletter by FIA Chairman Alan Huckle Published by: The Falkland Islands Association, scheme for Excellence. So, across all Falkland House, sectors, the evidence points to a thriving London community, doing well and looking SW1H OBH forward, with confi dence, to a positive future. Tel 0203 764 0824 Argentina does not compare well. ISSN 0262-9399 Despite all its natural resources, Argentina’s economy continues to be Edited by: ill-managed, debt-ridden and subject to Sharon Jaf ray growing infl ation and a serious decline Stanley his edition of the FIA Newsletter might in the value of the peso with little access Falkland Islands Tseem almost too full of memorials and to foreign exchange, save on the black Tel 00 500 52739 parades. But I make no apology for this. market. Confl ict with the trade unions and [email protected] It is absolutely right that Falkland frequent strikes have provoked growing Islanders should remember their place in social unrest and deep unhappiness with Editorial Committee history with the 250th anniversary of the the political system. Ms Cindy Buxton (Chair) fi rst British settlement in Port Egmont and Politically, Argentina has been Mr David Tatham CMG the 100th anniversary of the WW1 battles convulsed by suspicions of government Mr David Ainslie of Coronel and the Falklands. It is equally involvement in the unexplained death Mrs Merle Christie right that Islanders should continue to of state prosecutor, Alberto Nisman, Mr Saul Pitaluga commemorate their liberation by British amid accusations of a government forces from illegal Argentine occupation cover-up over Iran’s alleged involvement Advertising: in 1982 – and how appropriate it is that in the bombing of a Jewish centre in Full page £250 Falkland Islanders will collectively be Buenos Aires in 1994. This has been Half page £125 awarded the South Atlantic medal this aggravated by the Kirchner regime’s Quarter page £65 year as a symbol of their indomitable continuing feud with, and attempts to Eighth page £35 spirit during the confl ict and pride in control and/or muzzle, the Argentine Short insert £3 per line retaining their links with Britain. media and exacerbated yet further by the But the Newsletter also shows how political posturing of the various political WEBSITE good the prospects are for the Falkland candidates in the run-up to this year’s Islands. This season will see a renewed national elections. But the opposition www.i association.com drilling programme for oil. The rig remains fragmented and there is little has arrived and there are fi rm plans sign of a solid coalition being formed that Release of copyright for at least six new exploratory wells. would be more wedded to real democratic The infrastructure for the commercial values. The prospects for real political The Editorial Committee exploitation of oil is well underway and, change in Argentina remain poor. releases all copyrights sensibly, an analysis of the likely socio- It is not surprising therefore that on the content of economic impact of oil production is President Kirchner tries to keep the Falkland Islands being done, since any such development Argentina’s sovereignty claim high on the Newsletter except on is bound to create many changes in national agenda. But some of the regime’s pictures, cartoons and the Islanders’ way of life. Last year’s efforts to do so have been pretty crude. maps. Other publications fi shing season was excellent and, The new 50 peso banknote has rightly are invited to quote from the number of jiggers applying for been mocked as a cheap propaganda freely. licences, the new season looks good device but it continues to peddle the too. Careful management of fi sh stocks historical inaccuracy that the gaucho However, we ask that within the Falkland Islands fi sheries Antonio Rivero led an anti-British uprising quotations are made in conservation zone protects this valuable in 1833 against the British settlement in context and the Falkand resource and is a fi ne example of Port Louis – for the facts, go to the FIA Islands Newsletter sensible conservation. This stands in website on www.fi association.com. Rivero acknowledged as the stark contrast with the cynical over- was little more than a common murderer, source. fi shing allowed by Argentina in their own who betrayed his colleagues to save waters which has resulted in the drastic himself. For further information depletion of certain fi sh stocks. Similarly, the Argentine ambassador turn to the inside back Tourism remains buoyant and the in Londonhas circulated copies of page or alternatively Falkland Islands have won a major ‘Malvinas Matters’ in Westminster to contact the Editor Sharon tourism award, beating off serious the wrath of many MPs. Aside from an Jaf ray (contact details competition. Scientifi c research has been article by Alexander (Alejandro) Betts, above). given a real boost by the establishment now widely discredited (see our website), of the South Atlantic Environmental she condemns the UK Government Research Institute (SAERI) and for refusing dialogue. But, sorry, the PRINTED BY: encouraging international links are being Argentine invasion in 1982 changed Platinum Press (UK) Ltd developed. The Islands’ artistic scene is all that and has entrenched even more Tel 0844 880 4722 as vibrant as ever and the new Dockyard fi rmly the principle of self-determination www.PlatinumPressLimited.co.uk Museum shows the Islanders’ pride in – that the Falkland Islanders have the their history and traditional way of life; right to determine their own future. They the Museum has been short-listed for an cannot be set aside, as the Argentine award under the 2015 Museums Awards Government intends. 2 Prime Minister’s message We are British ending seasonal greetings to the Speople of the Falkland Islands, Prime Minister David Cameron said that Christmas provided a chance to refl ect over the past year, and noted that 2014 had been a year of great progress for the Falkland Islands. “From Stanley to Fox Bay, the Falkland’s economy went from strength to strength. More tourists than ever fl ocked to your Islands; engineers in the South Atlantic - your waters - explored your natu- ral resources; fi sherman caught record hauls of squid; and yes, your Commonwealth Games team - the biggest in history - did you proud in Islanders’ medal Glasgow. “This was the year that followed alkland Islanders are to be collec- that decisive referendum - when Ftively awarded the South Atlantic the Islanders said with one voice Medal in recognition of “a direct and “we are British.” We on the main- “We will begin the fourth phase of grave threat to their sovereignty,” land remain as passionate about de-mining – another step towards Prime Minister David Cameron an- you and about that relationship as healing the scars of that confl ict. nounced in mid-December. you do. Ours is a shared history. And we will back you every step of Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond One hundred years ago, the Allies the way as you strive for growth, said: “The Islanders’ individual acts defended their base in Stanley from prosperity and employment for all, of courage exemplifi ed the indomi- German aggression, and this month where you are free to exploit your table will and personal commitment we honour the sacrifi ce that so natural resources and develop your to defending the Islands’ right of self many made. industries without hindrance from determination.” “And three decades ago, UK other nations. The role of Falkland Islanders in forces stood with the Islanders Next year the BBC’s Island Parish supporting the British Forces as well as they faced a direct and grave series returns to our screens – this as individually resisting the Argentine threat to their sovereignty, and it time, focusing on the Falkland Is- occupiers during the war of 1982 is is absolutely right that we will be lands. I am delighted that so many well known. While later in the cam- recognising this next year, when more people will learn about the paign farmers and other Islanders your Islands will collectively receive incredible wildlife, scenery, history transported British troops, supplies the South Atlantic Medal, and you’ll and, of course, community spirit of and ammunition, sometimes to the be unveiling a bronze statue to your islands. frontline, others used banned ra- honour someone who played such We may be 8,000 miles apart. dios to transmit intelligence, and in an important role in that liberation - You may be waking up on Christ- Stanley individuals risked danger by Baroness Thatcher. mas morning as we prepare our sabotaging Argentine equipment. “Our relationship is also based on Christmas lunches. But our bond At Goose Green more than 100 a common future, and 2015 will be remains as strong as ever, and Falkland Islanders suffered hardship a year when the British government, Samantha and I wish you all a very when they were imprisoned in the again, steadfastly defends the free- Merry Christmas and a Happy New community hall, and later their lives dom she helped you secure. Year. were endangered by the fi rst land battle of the war at the end of May. Stanley people found themselves in A Royal Air Force Voyager transport tanker aircraft sits the dangerous situation of enduring on the tarmac at Mount Pleasant Picture MoD British naval shelling, artillery attacks and bombing raids. The bravery of Falkland Islanders during the Falklands War is recorded in Graham Bound’s book ‘Falkland Islanders at War.’ Chair of the Legislative Assembly, MLA Roger Edwards, welcomed the announcement: “It is a great honour for the Falkland Islands to be award- ed the South Atlantic Medal.