Falklands : Chile's British Ambassador Visits the Falklands
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 30.11.2007 (Article Archived on 14.12.2007)
Mr. Howard Drake and his wife have come the Falklands on a familiarisation visit.
CHILE’S BRITISH AMBASSADOR VISITS THE FALKLANDS
By J. Brock (FINN)
Mr. Howard Drake, British Ambassador to Chile, has come to the Falklands on a familiarisation visit.
Ambassador Drake has been in Chile for about two years and hasn’t had the opportunity until now to visit the Falklands.
“I’ve had a terrific visit, he said. There is no substitute for coming down and seeing it.”
There has been communication about relevant issues in the South-West Atlantic like fisheries and hydrocarbons and Mr. Drake was keen to come to the Falklands to come and have a better understanding about the areas of common interest between Chile and the Falkland Islands.
He has made the rounds of various departments, including a session at Gilbert House with Councillors and has met with Chileans who reside permanently in the Falklands as well as those here on work contract.
During his stay he also met with people who did business with Chile. He is also keen to find out how Falkland Islanders view policies that are in the best interest of the Islands. “There are some fascinating issues that have to be addressed,” he added.
FINN: What is the current state of play between the Falklands and Chile?
HD: I was very lucky to meet a number of them at a drinks party and indeed it was great to see them. I am going to one of the better restaurants in town owned by a Chilean this evening. Some of them have been here a long time and I think the welcome they received here remarkable and they are doing some very interesting things. As I discovered this week, they work in various parts of the economy here. Some had been here much longer than I had expected.”
For their part Councillors were interested in how the Falklands were perceived in Chile, especially in areas of tourism development. “This is something that the Falkland Islands are very keen to promote,” he said.
“You and I both know the importance of communications that businesses need,” he said.
He went on to say that it was up to the Falkland Islands Government to meet with the Chilean and Uruguayan Press to see if there could be good PR for the Falklands in South America. “All I do know is that from time to time when Councillors pass through it is very useful for them to know they are from the Falklands and explaining the Falkland Islands’ point of view,” he said.
Links between Punta Arenas and the Falklands, going back a long way, were acknowledged. Hw said that the Chilean economy was doing well compared to other countries in South America but he acknowledged that the rest of South America was doing very well.
FINN: I take it that there won’t be attempts to nationalise businesses in Chile like there are in other parts of South America?
HD: No. The Chilean Government is committed to the open market.
The Ambassador refused to be drawn on whether or not a Chilean Counsel would be forthcoming.
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