Falklands : Falklands Public Meeting Report
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 18.03.2009 (Article Archived on 29.04.2009)
A public meeting was held in the Court and Council Chamber of the Town Hall on Monday, 16 March 2009 at 1700 hrs.
PUBLIC MEETING 16 MARCH 2009
By J. Brock (FINN)
A public meeting was held in the Court and Council Chamber of the Town Hall on Monday, 16 March 2009 at 1700 hrs. Present were Ian Hansen, Mike Rendell, Richard Cockwell, Mike Summers, Andrea Clausen, Richard Stevens and John Birmingham.
The first question was written and about mine clearance in the Falklands. John Birmingham made it clear that our representation passed to the commission that the money would better be spent on areas that needed mine clearance more than the Falklands was not well received and it was taken that the Falklands would be obstructive to the process. He said that we had gone beyond that. Tim miller asked about environmental issues. Cllr Summers mentioned that it was accepted that earth would have to be moved to 1982 levels to remove the mines but that the person guaranteeing 100% removal said he would put his grandchildren on any area cleared. John Birmingham mentioned that the worst hazards in other countries were road traffic accidents going to and from mined areas.
John Smith asked about the Argentine veterans and mentioned that people in the know were sticking their heads in the sand. The same sorts of things happened 30 years ago before the 1982 invasion. Mike Summers said that the Royal Falkland Islands Police had been alerted over the incident at the shooting range where the veterans were digging in the peat. Mike Summers said he has written the Chief Executive to explain why such a number of Argentine veterans were let into the Islands without getting a briefing on expected behaviour.
Gerald Cheek said that he heard that Argentine Next of Kin were coming for a visit to the Falklands via Charter flights. Mike Summers said that logistically the 600 to 800 next of kin would be better off coming via sea rather than by charter flight. He mentioned that HMG could agree to this without consulting the Falkland Islands Government but he felt this was highly unlikely. Gerald Cheek pointed out that at the time of the proposed flight there would be no government in effect due to the election.
John Smith asked about the 20 Argentine yachts due on the 02 April. The UK Embassy in Buenos Aires will advise anyone travelling to the Falklands via yacht that the only point of entry is Stanley. He continued that many Argentines have come before and had a look at the community and brought back a positive view of us. He was hoping the same would transpire with the yacht visit as well as the Veterans visit. Shirley Hirtle mentioned that the yachts people were using the word “invasion” to describe what they were doing. Nigel Dodd said that it was dangerous for the veterans to be digging while shooting was going on at the range. Ali Dodd called the police on that instance.
Tim Miller asked if the harbour Master would close the Harbour and this depends on the intention of the Argentine Yacht people. John Smith asked about where the spades came from and couldn’t customs confiscate them. Others reported that the veterans had Argentine flags sewn to the back of their jackets.
It was generally thought that since it was Thursday when an e-mail was sent to Gilbert House from Government House, there was time to put some kind of briefing together. There were three distinct groups of Argentines that came on Saturday’s plane. One was a group associated with the Stanley marathon, another was a tourist group and 40 were Veterans. Bookings for accommodation were made directly from Argentina and via a local travel agent.
Andrea Clausen said that councillors were trying to get to the bottom of this and Mike Summers said he was sure that appropriate officials knew of this visit well in advance. Tim Miller mentioned that this had upset older people in the community.
As far as the yachts, they would have to fly the Red ensign but it was feared that the vessels would demonstrate in the harbour with big Argentine flags flying from their vessels. Cllr Sumers said it was unlikely, due to weather and sea conditions, that all of the Argentine vessels would arrive at once. John Smith also mentioned that he heard that some of the Argentine veterans had balaclavas
Gerald Cheek asked why H. E. the Governor Mr Alan Huckle would be away during HRH the Princess Royal’s visit. Mike Summers said this was a working visit. The Governor was told to attend the Governor’s conference. Paul Martinez is also the Queen’s representative in the Falklands when the Governor is away.
Tim Miller asked about the difference between the cost of fire appliances at Stanley Airport and why, if for an additional £300,000.00 this could not be found so that BAS would continue to fly to the Falklands. Mike Summers admitted that the economic loss caused by this was substantial. Roger Spink agreed with this. Councillors did not assess the economic impact well enough before taking the decision not to get the appropriate fire appliance. The Dash 7 could use MPA but it was uncertain how much business would filter through to Stanley if MPA was used. Andrea Clausen said that FIG did try to communicate with BAS about this but there were no answers to queries.
Stephen Luxton asked about the recent attempt by Cable & Wireless to charge for VOIP and that this was trying to use the back door to raise tariffs. Cllr Summers said that new legislation was needed because the old laws did not cover broadband. Dr Doyle would come to the Falklands next month to advise on the drafting the new legislation. Roger Spink brought up. Mario Zuvic brought up the 10X package that C&W had offered for businesses as another attempt to come through the back door to raise prices. Mike summers said that Councillors were clearly alarmed by this. He went on to say that the public would have the opportunity to meet with Dr Doyle next month to air their views.
Roger Spink mentioned about monitoring Cable & Wireless and Mike Summers said that FIG monitored price but not levels of service. This is why new legislation was needed.
This meeting in full will be broadcast over FIRS in due course.
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