Falklands : MOD Slams Observer Allegations about Falklands Commemorations
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 22.01.2007 (Article Archived on 05.02.2007)
The MOD have rebutted an article written in the Observer as misleading.
The MOD have, this afternoon, issued a letter of rebuttal to the (entirely inaccurate) claims in an article by the Observer yesterday (21 Jan 2007) that there would be no Ministerial or Royal attendance at commemorative events on the Islands in June. The text is as follows:
Your article 'Royal family set to stay away from celebrations' (21 January) is misleading, and completely unfounded. Contrary to the claim in your article, I will be travelling to the Falkland Islands as part of the South Atlantic Medal Association (1982) pilgrimage in November. It is absolutely appropriate that, as Minister for Veterans, I visit the Falklands with the veterans to whom we owe such a debt of gratitude. Adam Ingram, the Armed Forces Minister, will be visiting the Islands to take part in the main commemorations in June along with a member of the Royal Family. Senior members of the Royal Family, other Ministers and myself will be alongside veterans in London at the centrepiece of the commemorations to mark the 25th Anniversary on Horse Guards Parade on Sunday 17 June.
It is right that we mark this important anniversary in an appropriate manner and remember the 255 British Servicemen who died and the contribution to the campaign made by thousand of other members of the Armed Forces and civilian staff. We are working closely with representatives of the veterans' groups and the Falkland Islands Government on these events.
Derek Twigg
Simon
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Simon Rawson
Falkland Islands Desk Officer
South Atlantic Section
Overseas Territories Directorate
WH.2.303 - ext 2764
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