FIBS NEWS DIRECT: THURSDAY, 24 JULY 2003
FARMERS:
This morning at 1030, farmers will be gathering at Hope Cottage for the first of a series of meetings about the present and future of the Meat industry. In the next week, there are to be three more of these meetings, one on the East and two on the West.
DRINK DRIVING:
How do you feel about drink driving and what are you prepared to do to try and stop it. Do you think you could be the one who reported a driver that was putting his and other people's lives at risk? Listen in to the pre-recorded Coffee Table Chat this evening at 1830 to find out how you could help. Guests on the programme are Probation Officer, Sarah Jane Rich, Senior Magistrate, Nick Sanders and Inspector, Len McGill.
BELGRANO JUDGE DIES:
The Judge who presided over a controversial Court case about the sinking of the Argentine Cruiser, General Belgrano has died aged 75. Sir Anthony McAllen was in charge of the case in which a senior civil servant in the Ministry of Defence was charged under the Official Secrets Act with leaking an internal MOD document. The document was handed to a Labour MP, who then went on to conduct a campaign against the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher for ordering the sinking of the vessel. This document indicated that the Belgrano had been sailing away from the Falklands Exclusion Zone when it was torpedoed. After gaining the victory in this case, he gained the reputation of being an extremely competent Judge. He became senior presiding judge of England and Wales before ill health forced his retirement in 1997.
FALKLANDS CONSERVATION:
The Falklands Conservation Watch Group gives youngsters a chance to visit places many children wouldn't get to otherwise see. In October, two groups will be going off to do, among other things, beach cleans. Sarah Clement (SC) from Falklands Conservation:
SC: This year they have been invited back to Sea Lion Island for the weekend, which is brilliant. And, they have also been invited to Shallow Harbour, which will be a first for the Watch Group. We would really like to thank these people for their kind invitations. With the generosity of landowners and Lodge Managers, some of the Children in the Watch Group that may not have the opportunity to see the wildlife we are so lucky to be surrounded by. We've got some children in the group that aren't from the Falkland Islands and it's really nice to be able to show them around a bit. We are thrilled about it and there will be 25 children who will be able to take part in those trips.
BUSH AND KERSHNER:
Argentine President, Nestor Kershner, has told the Press he has received unconditional support from US Counterpart, George Bush, for his country's economic recovery and also for the Argentine stance in negotiations with the IMF. This is Kershner's first visit to Washington since he took over as president. And, according to the Vice President, of the Council of the Americas Business Programme, Eric Farnsworth, his purpose is to show that he is a strong leader with a credible economic growth programme. The two-day visit with Economy Minister, Roberto LeVagner attempted to re-build confidence in his country but significantly, he didn't meet with IMF or World Bank officials, which Farnsworth described as shrewd politics.
HMS LANCASTER ON HER WAY TO FALKLANDS WATERS:
The HMS LANCASTER arrived in Freetown earlier this week, where she will stay for a week before coming to the Islands. The Type 23 Frigate, which will be carrying out a 10 - week patrol around the Islands, took only 11 days to get from Portsmouth to Sierra Leone. Her current visit is part of a routine operation around the coast of West Africa. She's due to return to the UK in December. This is reportedly said to be particularly notable voyage for the vessel as she is deployed with the newly acquired EH101Merlin Helicopter, which is able to attack submarines using its own sonar, depth charges and torpedos.
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