Falklands : Motion for Adjournment speech by Commander British Forces Brigadier Bill Aldridge
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 05.03.2012 (Article Archived on 19.03.2012)
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, in a period of increased rhetoric and misinformation both in the UK and elsewhere, I thought it might be appropriate to add a bit of Military prospective.
Motion for Adjournment speech by Commander British Forces Brigadier Bill Aldridge:
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, in a period of increased rhetoric and misinformation both in the UK and elsewhere, I thought it might be appropriate to add a bit of Military prospective.
As you know, following the strategic defence and security review there has been no change to the Military dispositions in the Falkland Islands, either up or down nor, indeed, to our alert states.
As you will know only all too well, military deterrence has worked effectively for the last 30 years and I believe the balance we’ve got is just about right.
I accept, however, that with the removal of a number of redundant structures around Mount Pleasant and my increasing drive to localise elements of the operation at Mount Pleasant that I could reasonably be accused of demilitarising the South Atlantic.
I have, however, no wish to be flippant or complacent. It is my assessment that the biggest threat to the Falkland Islands remains in the Political and Economic spheres. But I do not underestimate the difficulties being imposed on people here by those measures.
Sticking therefore with Military matters, can I take the opportunity to reassure Members that BFFSAI continues to develop and refine its various contingency plans? And in this regard I am especially pleased to report the increasing co-operation and co-ordination with an increasingly capable Falkland Islands Defence Force.
Honourable Members, BFFSAI remains ready to continue to support the Falkland Islands Government in exercising its authority and the Falkland Islands people in exercising their right to self-determination.
Mr Speaker, I support the Motion.
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