FINN (COM) Daily Record for 09 January 2004

AIR CHARTER TALKS STALEMATE:

Diplomatic discussions on the future of charter flights to the Falklands have reached a complete stalemate with no more expected to come to the Islands this tourist season. The ban is expected to affect seven or eight flights, which would have carried out passenger exchanges for cruise ships. Governor Howard Pearce (HP) and Cllr. Richard Cockwell (RC) join Sue Gyford in the studio to explain what’s happened.

HP: We’ve had a very full exchange with the Argentine Government through the UK Government about the situation, the objective being to try to persuade the Argentines that the effective ban on charter flights ought to be lifted. Unfortunately, that process has not met with success. The British Government has, during the course of these exchanges, made a number of points clear to the Argentine side. One is that any future arrangements for flights have to be acceptable to the Falkland Islanders. The second is that the Falkland Islanders are not prepared to accept a scheduled service by an Argentine carrier. And, the third is, also, that the suspension of charters, the ban, must be effectively lifted before we can enter into any sensible talks about anything. But the sad outcome is that so far we have not been able to reach any kind of arrangement which would be acceptable to the Falkland Islanders and acceptable to the Argentine side.

RC: Councillors are very aware of the negative impact on the tourist industry. However, we cannot afford to allow a short-term solution affect the long-term issues. There is no question about it. The Councillors are very satisfied with the way Government House and the Foreign Office and the Embassy have been handling the issue. We were talking about it yesterday and they all commented on the strength and the support we’ve had from the Foreign Office and from the British Government in General. The best has been done that we can do so we have to accept where we are at this present moment.

SG: What would you say the atmosphere was at the talks that you’ve had?

HP: Of course, I haven’t been speaking directly to Argentine Representatives. It’s been a matter for the British Government to carry on those conversations through the British Embassy in Buenos Aires. And, I think that those conversations have always been cordial, civilised and friendly. The United Kingdom continues to have what is basically a good relationship with Argentina and with Argentine Officials and that’s the way we wish to keep it. But at the same time, making clear that the kind of action which the Argentine Authorities have taken on this issue is not acceptable. As I say, we have indicated that we’d be prepared to talk about longer-term future, building on existing arrangements for air links between the Falklands and the South American mainland but subject to the points which I explained earlier in this interview.

SG: I know, on Sunday, I think it was, Sir Robin Christopher was quoted in Clarin talking about the new stage for flights but it wasn’t really clear what that meant. Can you enlighten us any more?

HP: I don’t actually think Clarin accurately reflected what Sir Robin Christopher actually said – not, I fear, for the first time. But what Robin Christopher was saying was that we had indicated – the British Government had indicated – that it was prepared to talk to Argentina about future air links between the Falkland Islands and the South American mainland, building on existing arrangements.

RC: I think it needs to be said, though, it’s at the stage, I mean, that isn’t the end of it. I mean, sooner or later we are going to sort this problem out and get down to proper communications with South America again. However, the criteria is there and it has to be met before we can actually sit down and talk about – until the British Government – sit down and talk with Argentina.

HP: I would just like to make it clear that the existing scheduled LanChile flight is continuing and will continue to run. That is the subject of an agreement concluded in July 1999, under which that flight was resumed. And, that flight is not under any threat at all.

SG: Richard, at the last public meeting there were a lot of people suggesting that the building of the Argentine war memorial could be used as a bargaining tool. The answer seemed to be that now was not the time. Would it ever be the time to do that?

RC: The building of the memorial is a humanitarian issue, which is part of an agreement which we have with Argentina. And, I think I still hold the opinion that it is not appropriate to use this as part of trying to solve the dispute.

SOUTH ATLANTIC FISHERIES COMMISSION:

Discussions between the UK and the Argentines were less frosty at the South Atlantic Fisheries Commission, according to Fisheries Director, John Barton. See the full transcript of Caught in the Net.

ELLEN COULD SAIL INTO THE FALKLANDS:

Yachtswoman, Ellen McArthur, could be sailing into the Falklands on her next voyage. She’s just unveiled her latest vessel, a 75ft solo ship with three hulls with a mast height of 100ft. The boat was officially launched in Sydney with a ceremony shown by a live satellite link at the opening of the London Boat Show. The BBC reports that Ellen is due to leave Sydney for Auckland in New Zealand this month. She will then set off to either Cape Horn or the Falklands in early March. Her last record attempt to set the fastest non-stop circumnavigation of the globe failed last February when the mast on Kingfisher II broke in the Southern Ocean. In the new yacht, she will try to break solo speed sailing records including the 24-hour and transatlantic records. The only draw-back is that the boat has been named after its sponsors, making it the B & Q Tri-mirande.

(100X Transcription Service)