FIBS NEWS DIRECT: MONDAY, 14 JULY 2003
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PROTESTERS BRING THEIR CAUSE TO GILBERT HOUSE CAR PARK:
Campaigners who are trying to get Government to revoke its decision the slashing of free abortion flights staged a protest today. Around 10 vehicles containing posters outlining their feelings were parked outside of Gilbert House - the Councillors headquarters - at around 0800 this morning, blocking parking spaces. The group feels that Government is violating women's rights by limiting their access to abortions.
PUBLIC WORKS INVESTIGATION:
Public Works is carrying out an investigation after a man became trapped under some loose material at the Quarry. Two workers were cleaning what is known as a surge hopper when debris pinned his leg down on Friday morning. Because crush injuries can be serious, the fire brigade and ambulance were called to the scene. But by the time they had arrived, the man's colleagues had been able to free him. He was taken to the KEMH for a check-up and is reported to be fine. Larry Neal, from Public Works, explained that an investigation is needed because of the potentially serious nature of the incident.
COURT NEWS:
Three Stanley men were sentenced to community service this morning for affray and assault. Before Senior Magistrate, Nick Saunders, Wayne Saunders pleaded guilty to affray during a flight in the Globe six weeks ago. In connection with the same incident, Ian Betts pleaded guilty to common assault. Both men were sentenced to 100 hours community service and bound to observe a 6-months exclusion order from all pubs in Stanley. Owen Betts also pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal assault relating to the same incident. He was sentenced to 200 hours community service and bound to observe a 12-months exclusion order.
Summing up, the Senior Magistrate described the three men's behaviour as disgusting, saying they had let down both the fire brigade and the FIDF, or which all are members, adding that Owen Betts was lucky to escape a jail sentence for his assault on the Land Lady and bar staff of the globe.
POLICE NEWS:
A Police vehicle and a Military vehicle have collided, causing minor damage to both. Just after midnight on Saturday a police patrol spotted a vehicle driving erratically and identified it as one reported missing from MPA. They had to chase the vehicle to make it pull over, which was when the accident happened. The driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and is now helping police with their enquiries, along with a passenger.
In the rest of the Police News, on Sunday morning at about 1130 they received a report of two people walking on Yorke Bay, which is a mined area. Officers arriving on the scene discovered the people had come out of the minefield but weren't able to speak to them. They are looking into the situation.
FISHERIES NEWS:
The Skate and Ray seasons start tomorrow and shipping activity is picking up. Three Korean trawlers are in Port William to collect their licences. Two more Korean trawlers are coming in to collect their licences this afternoon and two vessels are already out in the zone. In Berkley Sound, a Korean Long-liner is transhipping toothfish before leaving for the high seas. A Polish Krill trawler is also transhipping.
BANK RATES:
Standard Chartered Bank has announced today that their base rate will be reduced by .025% to 3.5%. They say that despite this cut, for the deposit rates set locally will remain constant. More details can be obtained from the bank.
(100X Transcription Service)
"A" Press: Sunday, 13 July 2003
There is considerable coverage today of President Kirchner's visit to London for the "Third Way" conference.
Clarin leads with a story that Kirchner is going to change emphasis and raise the subject of Falklands fishing. It says he will urge the negotiation of new regulations for this, without discussing this with the Islanders, as the present regulations only enrich them, allowing Islanders to make 40,000 dollars per head per year year and not giving a cent to Argentina while Argentines are living in poverty. It also quotes him saying: "I am going to strongly affirm sovereignty of the Falklands, I will do it in every moment, even when I meet Mr. Blair". The Clarin article suggests the Falklands are an obsession of Kirchner's as he comes from the province of Santa Cruz in Patagonia. The Clarin article says that Britain wants a long term fishing agreement that Argentina has always refused.
La Nacion carries a report (but not a headline) saying that Kirchner is going to tell Tony Blair that the Argentine policy of negotiating the sovereignty of the Falklands is a priority of his administration. It also quotes him telling journalists yesterday: "I am going to strongly affirm sovereignty of the Falklands, I will do it in every moment, even when I meet Mr. Blair". It goes on to say that Kirchner will raise the subject of sovereignty negotiations with every leader and president that he meets. It also says that the quality of life of the islanders is entirely due to its fishing evenues, that represents a loss to Argentina, and that Argentina wants to discuss sovereignty without the participation of the Islanders.
On infobae.com an important Buenos Aires website, the new governor of Santa Cruz, Icazuriaga, is reported to be with Kirchner in London and was quoted as saying "being in Britain we can't leave the subject of the Falklands to one side". "At some opportunity we might be able to recover the sovereignty that we lost once".... "The idea of the President is to claim sovereignty rights over the Falklands. Those of us who live in Patagonia have a certain Falklands culture". He also commented that "although the sovereignty dispute is frozen, it's possible to make very small steps", and went on to mention such things as more flights to the islands and the construction of the monument to the Argentines who died.
There is nothing in any of these reports to indicate that Britain is responding in any way to these Argentine pressures.
(100X Translation Service
"A" Press: Monday, 14 July 2003
Clarin carries headlines this morning and La Nacion a major front page story on Kirchner's 25 minute meeting with Blair at the "Third Way" conference in Bagshot. In Pagina 12 and other papers it is headlines too. All say that Kirchner raised the subject of sovereignty over the Falklands, called strongly for negotiations, and said that as someone from the nearest province it is of particular importance to him (and saying that he too had been a prisoner of Galtieri). Pagina 12 had a headline saying "Sovereignty, the unavoidable subject". But Blair is reported only to have smiled. They will meet again today.
All papers report that Kirchner also complained about the issue of fishing licences by the Falklands Government saying this had made the Islanders wealthy but harmed Argentina.
(100X Translation Service)
