FINN (COM) DAILY RECORD: 04 MARCH 2004
(With Relevant Articles from FIBS)
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
Both Clarin and La Nacion have major articles today describing Argentina’s rejection of a British proposal to start negotiations over a permanent agreement for flights to the Falklands on April 1st. Argentine Foreign Minister Rafael Bielsa made this announcement to the Foreign relations Committee of the Senate yesterday afternoon. It was on late news in La Nacion and Infobae yesterday and was a minor news item on TV last night.
Both papers say that the British proposal is to allow complete freedom of the skies for any commercial airline of any country to compete on routes to the Falklands. Both papers express a little puzzlement as to why an offer has been rejected that is much more than the temporary proposal that was discussed by Minister Rammell with the Argentines on his recent visit here - and later rejected by Islanders after an Argentine paper leaked its contents. La Nacion offers the explanation that for example Argentina might fear “political dumping” whereby the British might subsidise a British airline to exclude “local” ones. Clarin quotes Bielsa as saying “We need time to think what proposal would be satisfactory for us”. Clarin reports that the Argentine Foreign Ministry now wants to “cool down” the negotiations over flights. Bielsa came up with a typical comment: “The Falklands are Argentine and if Great Britain doesn’t have time to start negotiating sovereignty, we have the patience to wait” . Bielsa blamed the leak to the press for scuppering the proposal he discussed with Bill Rammell and there will be an investigation into who leaked this to the press.
In other news both La Nacion and Clarin carried headlines today reporting what amounts to an apology by the Argentine navy for the horrors at ESMA the Navy’s mechanical school in Buenos Aires that was a centre for torture and murder during the military dictatorship. The Head of the Navy Admiral Godoy publicly called it a “symbol of barbarity”. There will now be a museum there.
Pickets excelled themselves yesterday too – taking over a train!
(100X Translation Service)
FIBS NEWS DIRECT: THURSDAY, 04 MARCH 2004
STALEMATE:
Argentine Foreign Affairs Minister, Raphael Bielza told the Argentine Congress that the British counter-proposal for the resumption of charter flights ton the Falklands does not satisfy Argentina. This position was being transmitted to the British Ambassador in Buenos Aires. Mr. Bielza also spoke of the leak to the press of a so called agreement reached during the talks, which he said impeded the fulfilment of the initiative. He says that the Foreign Office proposed that talks for a definitive flights programme between the Continent and the Falklands should begin on the 1st of April but Dr. Bielza says this will not happen. He reiterated before the Committee that the Falklands are Argentine and if Britain has no time to begin negotiating the issue of sovereignty that we have the patience to wait for that moment.
SPORTS:
There were more blue skies for the Sports yesterday. On the West, more than 20 dogs were entered into the Dog Trials and at Goose Green, it was Gymkhana Day. At yesterday’s prize giving dance at Port Howard, a minute’s silence was held as a mark of respect after the tragic death of Dion Jones in a Road Accident on Saturday.
GROUND-FORCE:
The Falklands feature in the best of Ground-force called the Tichmarsh years. Celebrating 6 years of the series, it includes moments of never seen before footage and Alan’s last show. Ground-force, as well as travelling around the UK, also made trips to South Africa, New York, India and Jamaica and this series shows moments from all of these. The collection is available on DVD.
VIRUS:
Three viruses have hit the web in the latest worm war. Two varieties of the bagel virus have been causing havoc over the last few days. The worms are fighting for control of infected computers, which the virus writers can use for their activities. Bagel J contains the text: “Hey, Netski, don’t ruin our business, wanna start a war?” Cable and Wireless say they removed over 1300 viruses from e-mail yesterday, coming in and going out of the Islands. Mike McLeod advises people to update their anti-virus software at least once a day and before starting to download their mail. People are advised to delete any suspicious e-mails that carry subject lines such as “ RE Your Details, RE Document, RE Your pictures.
NEW PHONE BOOK:
The first edition of the 2004/2005 Cable & Wireless phone book are in the Post Office. So, if you want to check your entry you had better hurry up and get down there, as it will only be there until 31 March. Cable and Wireless say that if you are unable to get to the Post Office then give them a call on 20801 and they will be happy to help you.
POACHER APPREHENDED IN ARGENTINE WATERS:
A Korean Jigger has been apprehended in Argentine Waters apparently poaching. The vessel was arrested on Tuesday by an Argentine Coast Guard Unit. The Korus 3 was caught read-handed, 197 miles east of Cape St. George. And, after a few intimidating shots, was arrested and escorted to Commodoro Rivadavia. The vessel was carrying 150 boxes of frozen Squid and another 50 were in process.
(100X Transcription Service)
