FINN (COM) DAILY RECORD: 12 NOVEMBER 2003
(With Relevant Articles From FIBS)
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
Public Meeting Notice: There will be a Public Meeting in the Court and Council Chamber of the Town Hall on Tuesday, 18 November 2003 at 1700.
"A" Press: 12 November 2003:
There have been important Falklands articles in Clarin for the last three days. On Monday, Clarin announced the Argentine decision to refuse permission for a second weekly flight by Lan Chile from Punta Arenas to the Falklands. That article said that the Argentine government wanted any more flights to be by an Argentine Airline. Clarin said the Argentine argument was that Lufthansa had been allowed to fly to Paris in 1962 which is 17 years after the end of hostilities World War II and it is now 21 years since the end of the Falklands War. This, of course, is absurd when Germany had abandoned all the goals it fought for in WW II, and Argentina is still pressing its claim so aggressively. The article says that Argentina isn’t interested in the business but in being able to re-establish its own link to the Islands.
This article says that the question of increasing the flights was discussed informally at a recent Argentine British forum (which, of course, was the ABC) in Buenos Aires and it was "obvious that the Islanders need more and better connections with the continent".
Yesterday (Tuesday) Clarin had another major article saying that the Argentine government wants to challenge Punta Arenas as the Falklands only point of contact for supplies etc on the South American mainland, and wants the Islanders to use Argentina too. It says that Argentina is "patiently and persistently" asking Britain for a link by an Argentine airline to the Islands. The article was entitled "Punta Arenas, at the centre of the new Falklands strategy".
Today (Wednesday) there is yet another article entitled "Discussions for an Argentine flight to the Falklands". It says the British ambassador went to the Argentine Foreign Ministry yesterday and that British sources said that "Bilateral subjects were discussed including co-operation in the South Atlantic". It says that discussions had increased recently because of the Chilean request for more flights which Argentina denied because it sees this need as an "un-measurable opportunity" to get its own flights re-established as they had before the war.
The article is a bit confusing, as it says that the Chileans are bitter at the refusal of more flights, and that the Chileans are protecting their profits without caring for the Argentine need "to take advantage of every available opportunity to be able to develop a link with the Islands". But the article also quotes the Chilean ambassador in Buenos Aires as saying that "We support absolutely the idea of the Argentine Government that it should be Aerolineas Argentinas that should do that service".
The article goes on to say that Argentina will agree to three more LanChile flights if there is a paragraph inserted into an agreement in which it explicitly says that Britain agrees to an "exchange of ideas" about future Argentine flights between the continent and the Falklands.
Plainly there is a certain amount of Clarin hype in all these articles, but it looks dangerous to me. An "exchange of ideas" about future Argentine flights would probably become an obligation to discuss nothing else. But if Argentina did get flights to the Falklands then it would probably be easy to eliminate LanChile, leaving Argentina with the same stranglehold it had on the Islands before the war. Links with anywhere in South America have always been the Achilles heel of the Falklands, what is happening now shows just how dangerous these can be. I suspect too that the recent Argentine Biased Conference has had something to do with this. It was referred to in Monday’s article. Our opponents who control and pack the "British" delegation are well known to be frantic to push the Islanders into more contact with Argentina.
(100X Translation Service)
FIBS NEWS DIRECT FOR 12 NOVEMBER 2003
COURT NEWS:
A member of the Tamar Crew was told that he may face prison after head-butting a fellow crew member in a pub and also failing to admit on his work permit application that he had a conviction for manslaughter. The ship’s Chief Officer, Michael Thomas Taylor, was arrested after head-butting Brian Newman in Deanos on October the 24th. The Court heard that a dispute between Mr. Taylor and Mr. Newman had been bubbling away since the ship’s crew were in Punta Arenas two weeks earlier. In Deanos he was reported to have been drinking heavily and when discussion turned to the amount of shore leave each person was getting, he lost his temper and head butted Mr. Newman. On his arrest it was discovered that he had failed to reveal on his work permit application, a 23 year old conviction for manslaughter, as well as assault and driving convictions. Taylor pleaded guilty to charges of assault and providing false information in order to get a work permit.
Hugh Ferguson, defending, said Taylor had only received 1 and 4 of the application form, which did not include the main sections referring to disclosure of convictions. He said Taylor had been provoked into the assault and deeply regretted the incident.
But Senior Magistrate, Nick Sanders, said the charges were too serious to be dealt with by a fine and may result in a prison sentence. He adjourned the case for reports.
In other Court news, Leon Mitchell received a £300.00 fine and Melvin Clifton was given a conditional discharge after a series of events at Deanos on October 25th. Both men pleaded guilty – Mitchell to obstruction and Clifton to harassment. The Court heard that Clifton had been seen by Police kicking the side of Deanos. When they tried to arrest him, Mitchell intervened and said he wanted to take Clifton home. He persisted until Police arrested him and then resisted handcuffing.
Senior Magistrate, Nick Sanders, warned Mitchell that, as a repeat offender, that he was at risk of a prison sentence if he re-offended.
Marvin Benjamin of MPA pleaded guilty to assault, criminal damage and harassment. He was fined a total of £300.00 after he admitted punching David Battey in a bar at MPA. The Court heard that Benjamin had been jealous when he saw Mr Battey talking to his fiancee, and after hitting him, also hurled abuse at an older lady in a corridor outside his room, punching and breaking a wall light. He was also ordered to pay £150.00 compensation to Mr. Battey and £70.00 costs.
Sodexho employee, Caesar Elheda pleaded guilty to charges of driving without adequate brakes or insurance and was fined £350.00. Speaking through an interpreter, he told the Court he had been on holiday in Chile and had asked a friend to renew his insurance but they had not done so.
Sgt Darren Fox was fined £75.00 with £20.00 costs for driving without due care and attention after a collision at the corner of Philomel Street and Davis Street on October the 6th. The Court heard a character reference from Civil-Military Liaison Officer, Major Mark Brennon, who said Sgt Fox had an exemplary service record and had been a great ambassador for Military-Civil relations during his time in the Islands.
WREATH LAYING TOUR:
The Military and the Royal British Legion toured the Islands yesterday (Tuesday) for a joint wreath laying operation to mark Remembrance Day. Alan Jones and George Bourroughs from the Falklands Branch of the Royal British Legion were joined by Civil-Military Liaison Officer, Major Mark Brennon and other members of the Military community for the event. They laid wreaths at the Cathedral, the Liberation Monument, the Memorials at Fitzroy, Blue Beach Cemetery at San Carlos and the HMS Coventry Memorial on Pebble Island. Transport was provided by the Military and Brintel Helicopters.
SPORTS ASSOCIATION FUN DAY
Preparations are underway for the Stanley Sports Association on November 29th. But to make the day a real success, they need your help. Recreation Manager, Steve Dent, is appealing for recruits for the Small Animal Stable Area. Anyone who has rabbits, goats, miniature horses, lambs or calves which could be displayed are asked to contact Steve at the Leisure Centre as soon as possible.
The day will also include games, activities, stalls, and there will be appearances from the Police, Fire Service and FIDF. Entry will be free.
INFANTRY PRESENCE CHANGE:
There has been a change to the Infantry presence in the Islands. Captain Doug Salsby, Media Ops at MPA reports that the Grenadier Guards left last week and were replaced by "A" Company of the Royal Highland Fusiliers. They will be here for 8 months with a different company coming down after 4 months.
TAMAR:
The Tamar left Saunders Island at 1300 yesterday and Island Shipping says she is making steady progress towards Punta Arenas for repairs to her rudder. She is expected to arrive early on Friday morning.
(100X Transcription Service)
