FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: THURSDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2004
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
NEW PROJECT MANAGERS FOR DEMINING WORKING PARTY
By J. Brock (FINN)
The Joint Working Party (JWP) for carrying out a feasibility study on the clearance of land mines in the Falklands has appointed new respective project managers during a meeting, which was held on 26 and 27 October 2004 in London.
Participants in the Joint Working Group include diplomats and experts from the United Kingdom and the Republic of Argentina. The meeting took place in accordance with the understanding recorded in the Exchange of Notes of 11 October 2001, and is covered by the formula on sovereignty included in those notes.
At the meeting, the JWP considered the overall aims of the feasibility study, including its technical and financial aspects as well as its management. It was in this respect that new, as yet unknown prospective project managers were appointed.
As well as the feasibility study, understandings were reached on a number of practical measures. In fulfilment of the shared commitment to carry out the study it was also agreed to perform several tasks
The next meeting of the Joint Working Group will be held during the second quarter of 2005 in Buenos Aires.
FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 28 OCTOBER 2004
ROYAL MARINES 340:
It’s the Royal Marines 340th birthday. Former Marine, Geoff Pring (GP) is organising a celebration for tonight. I asked him what he is planning.
GP: This year, for a change, we decided to do something a little more formal. To that end, we booked the Malvina Hotel Restaurant. At the moment, we’ve got 35 going to the dinner tonight.
CG: Tell me a bit about some of the people who are coming along.
GP: The majority are ex Royal Marines and some would have served with NP 48 based at Moody Brook. We are looking forward very much for getting together tonight and having a good time.
CG: You mentioned there is no Royal Marine Association here in the Falklands. What’s the history with that because I believe there used to be a Green Beret Association.
GP: There was a very active Green Beret Association here which wound up a couple of years ago and it was a success. It no longer exists. They who passed the commando course formed together and there was a Green Beret Association. They were based at the Golf Course Club House. However, there is a good quorum of ex Royal Marines down here. Maybe some time in the future we could get together and organise something more formal. At the moment, we get together once a year. This year is particularly special because it is our 340th. The FIDF also is celebrating their 150thanniversary so it’s even more special.
CG: You have also got a newly arrived ex Royal Marine who is coming along tonight as well. Tell me a little bit about this chap.
GP: I got a phone call last night from Neil McKay. I was quite surprised. He told me there was a chap called Walter Irish and his wife Betty from Salt Ash that just arrived in the Islands for a visit. Being of the era I believe he’s from, I believe he’s got a lot of stories to tell us. I assume his wife, Betty, is a Falkland Islander.
CG: You mentioned the detachment you were in and there was a high percentage of 8908 that actually stayed in the Falklands.
GP: My Detachment was 1976 to 1977 and a lot of locals will remember that the Royal Marines were granted the Freedom of Stanley on 08 December 1976. Of the 34 members of my detachment who were present on that parade, five now have returned to the Islands and work with the Community. That’s quite a high percentage.
CG: The centrepiece for tonight’s celebration will be the Wilkinson Sword, which they presented to the people of Stanley when they were granted the Freedom. It’s been lent back to them by the Museum for the occasion.
£15,000.00 FOR BIO-MEN STUDY:
It is estimated that the fee for the Bio-security study will be around £15,000.00. Councillors say that Government will be paying around £5,000.00 and the FCO are contributing £10,000.00. Cllr. Mike Summers says the project has been driven by the senior vet for protecting our disease-free status so we can demonstrate we can have this in the future, especially relating to exporting produce such as meat. Also, so we can demonstrate that we have control measures in place. Cllr Roger Edwards (RE) says there have been instances where agricultural machinery has been imported here in a less than satisfactory state, with a bailer being delivered to the West still containing hay from the last job it had done in the UK. Two Bio-Security consultants visited recently to carry out the study and look at the processes already in place.
OTHER PUBLIC MEETING NEWS:
Feelings were running high at Tuesday’s Public Meeting when someone suggested that Councillors should be negotiating with Argentina for regular scheduled flights to the country. Another person said that it would totally undermine the point of Britain having a garrison here adding that if such a thing did happen, Argentina would drop its flight prices so that LanChile would end up losing money and pulling out. Cllr. Mike Summers agreed, saying that firstly that would be conceding to Argentina and their putting pressure on us and secondly would use it manipulatively until they had a monopoly. Cllr. Stephen Luxton said he would rather see us go back to having a boat to the UK once a month than scheduled flights to Argentina. Cllr. Roger Edwards said it’s a matter of morals rather than a matter of money.
SIMON WESTON:
Falklands war hero, Simon Weston, has made friends with the Argentine Airman who scarred him for life, according to the Daily Mirror. And, the 43 year-old declared that Carlos Cujon was a heck of a nice guy. Simon, was onboard the SIR GALAHAD during the 1982 War when Carlos bombed the ship. But, on ITV’s Favourite Hymn Show to be screened next month, dad of 3, Simon, insists he bears Carlos no malice. He says he was just doing his job. “He did to me what I would have to him. He’s not an evil man, just an ordinary guy, who deserves respect.”
