FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: TUESDAY, 17 AUGUST 2004
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
St Helena’s representation on the Falkland Islands.
Although there has been no agreed St Helena representation on the Falkland Islands in the past, with increasing liaisons between the Islands, such a role is needed. John Clifford is no stranger to performing representational duties for St Helena on the Falkland Islands; and has formally agreed to take on the representational role for St Helena Government.
In 2002 when a referendum was held for Access options, John and a small team arranged for polling stations to be set up so that St Helenians on the Falklands could place their votes. More recently with the Atkins team visiting Ascension, St Helena and the Falkland Islands, John arranged the focus groups on the Falkland Islands making work for the team that much easier.
The role John will play will be mainly of a liaison nature, occasionally involving co-ordination and administration activities. Governor Hollamby said this role “would provide a clear signal both on St Helena and the Falkland Islands of the strong relationship between the territories and of the importance we place upon the continued fostering of good relations”.
In accepting, John said “I feel most honoured to have been considered for this very important role”.
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
11th August 2004
PUBLIC MEETING: The monthly public meeting will take place in the Court and Council Chamber of the Town Hall at 1700 on Tuesday, 24 August 2004.
FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 17 AUGUST 2004
FREE BOOK:
Free copies of a book written by Bulgarian academic, Lyubomir Ivanov have been given out free to residents in the Islands. Dr. Ivanov foresees the Falkland Islands’ form of Government evolving into one of twp principal options of self-determination. The option of free association or devolved integration and the option of full independence. But these choices are described as a choice between two good options rather than between a good and a bad one. The book’s forward is written by Cllr. Mike Summers, who praises the remarkable and interesting work, saying that contrasts and parallels drawn by Dr. Ivanov and distinguished commentators on his paper aptly demonstrate the importance both internal and external self-determination in developing as well as developed nations. It’s an interesting interface where devolution and decolonisation meet.
CONTROLLED EXPLOSION:
There was a controlled explosion this afternoon between 1400 and 1600 on Rookery Bay.
HARBOUR, SHIPPING AND FISHING NEWS:
There’s been activity in the Harbour today. Patricia Nores has been in for Licensing already today and the Playa Pesmo Uno was also due in this morning. The Tanker, Libra, left FIPASS at 0900 and at 0900, in Berkley Sound, Krill Trawler, Top Ocean set sail for Montevideo for repairs. The St. Brandon left FIPASS yesterday evening, heading for Punta Arenas and the Sierra Mar Frio arrived alongside FIPASS this morning. She’s now waiting for Loligo vessels to tranship. There are 39 vessels fishing in the zone, where Loligo catches are very good. Fishery Operations report that the top catches are around 36 Metric Tonnes a day. Finfish Catches range from good to average depending on the area where the vessels are fishing.
(100X Transcription Service)
ARGPRESS 17 AUGUST 2004:
Clarín is carrying an article this morning quoting the Head of the Chilean Senate Foreign Relations Comittee as saying that it was “imprudent” for the Chilean Ambassador to have attended the Reunion on Falklands Liberation Day, June 14th in London. He went on to say “I regret that we continue to commit errors, particularly with neighbouring countries, for which we should have special consideration”.
This had been the subject of a comment from Argentine Foreign Minister Rafael Bielsa last Friday weekend when he was in Chile. Bielsa was quoted then as saying that “to have friend doesn’t mean they have to inherit one's enemies”, But he went also said that Argentina “could not be indifferent to a Chilean diplomat taking part in - for example - a celebration in London by the illegitimate government of the Falklands to celebrate the fall of Puerto Argentino”. Clarin’s article also mentioned that the Uruguayan Consul was at the Liberation Day celebation too.
Over the weekend there was another Falklands related report in the Chilean paper El Mercurio. It said that the decision to refuse access for the Leeds Castle to Punta Arenas had been taken by a “low rank official” in the Chilean Foreign Ministry in response to a complaint by the Argentine Consul in Punta Arenas. It said that the British Ambassador had made a discrete complaint about this.
Comment: Chile was very irritated with Argentina at the time of the Lincoln’s Inn reunion over the breaking of natural gas supply contracts, and so its Ambassador might have come to Lincoln's Inn anyhow. But all the same, it looks as if there probable won’t be any more Chilean or Uruguayan representation at Lincoln’s Inn - thanks to the fact that their presence was publicised. This reunion is of course on Liberation Day, but it is worth remembering that there were reunions for Falklands friends at Lincoln’s Inn long before the 1982 war.
Another unrelated item that might be worth mentioning now, and which has received considerable publicity, is that the meeting likely next month (but apparently not yet formalised) at the UN between Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Rafael Bielsa is normal practise between the British and any new (temporary) member of the Security Council. Bielsa has been quoted as saying he will discuss flights to the Falklands then, as if this were the motive for the meeting. But any subjects, especially those of importance to the security Council, might be discussed. So the true context of the meeting is Argentina’s arrival as a temporary member of the Security Council - not flights or the Falklands, allthough these may well be discussed.
(100X Translation Service)
