Falklands Islands News - Check first post !

[armored_diplomacy]

Falklands Islands News


There are a couple of must-visit threads here at Mp.Net about the Falklands Islands:

- "Defending the Falklands", started by Happyslapper (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...-the-Falklands), and
- "Falklands 30" (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...t=falklands+30)


Both threads are impressive and full of information, but they are military-related, either regarding its current defense or about the 1982 war. We lack a place to post news and info of political / diplomatic / scientific / business nature (without going OT in those threads).

I think it would be a good idea to start a thread about news which involve those islands, but which are not strictly military; that way we´ll keep on-topic ther and we´ll have a proper place to share and discuss news.

Let´s keep this civil and smart: this thread is NOT to discuss

* the sovereign claim that Argentina has,
* who arrived first,
* what UN said, etc.

So, anything related to the current Falkland Islands is welcome; may it be a good place to know more about the neighbours and their daily business

[armored_diplomacy]

Let´s start from the very basic: How things work at gov-level at the FI:

http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/index.html

The Legislative Assembly


Though an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, the Falkland Islands enjoys a large measure of internal self government. Negotiations with Her Majesty's Government have resulted in a new Constitution that will further strengthen this position.

There is a Legislative Assembly which is Chaired by the Speaker and includes two ex-officio members: the Chief Executive and the Director of Corporate Resources. The Attorney General and Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands (CBFSAI) are also entitled to attend Legislative Assembly meetings.

Each year the elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) elect three of their number to the policy making body of the Government, Executive Council. Executive Council is chaired by HE the Governor. Membership includes the same ex-officio members who sit on the Legislative Assembly. In addition, the Attorney General and CBFSAI may attend and speak on any matter.

The Legislative Assembly is empowered to pass legislation for the peace, order and good government of the Falkland Islands, subject to the approval of Her Majesty the Queen, acting through her Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Legislative Assembly meetings are held in public, usually bi-monthly.

Executive Council normally meets monthly, but more often if required. It is responsible for the formulation of strategy and policy, and for high level management decisions. Under the Falkland Islands Constitution the Governor retains responsibility for various issues, particularly external affairs and defence. The Governor nevertheless consults regularly with MLAs on these issues.

All members are elected as independents, as there are no political parties. There is no formal opposition. Each MLA takes responsibility for a particular portfolio and works closely with the relevant departments, but does not have the role of a Minister; instead, questions of policy are considered by the Executive Council.

Did you know they have a constitution ?

The Constitution

A new Constitution for the Falkland Islands came into operation on 1 January 2009. It was agreed by the UK Government and the Falkland Islands Government. The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008 was made on 5 November 2008 by Her Majesty the Queen in the Privy Council.

The Falklands have developed considerably both economically and socially since the previous Falkland Islands' Constitution came in to operation in 1985, and the new Constitution reflects this. The Islanders' right to determine their own future has been reinforced, as self-determination is now embedded in the main body of the Constitution. The Constitution enhances local democracy, while retaining sufficient powers for the UK Government to protect UK interests and to ensure the overall good governance of the territory. It provides for greater transparency and accountability through the creation of a Public Accounts Committee and a Complaints Commissioner, and the rights chapter has been brought up to date to bring it into line with international agreements.

The new Constitution makes much clearer Councillors' responsibility for most domestic policies and that, in general, the Governor will now have to abide by the advice of the Executive Council on such matters. But the new Constitution will also enshrine a power for the Governor not to act upon Executive Council's advice "in the interests of good governance", or in relation to external affairs, defence, internal security (including the police), the administration of justice, audit, and management of the public service.

Other important changes include: recognition is given to the Chief Executive as head of the public service, but under the authority and direction of the Governor; and it is in line with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights. There are also some changes to who has Falkland Islands Status (which brings with it the right to vote) through the Constitution - references to Commonwealth citizens are replaced by British citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens will now have to apply for status rather than get it automatically on naturalisation/registration, and spouses will also now have to apply for status.

The previous Falkland Islands Constitution had been in force since 1985 (amended in 1997).

In April 2000, a Select Committee on the Review of the Constitution was set up by Legislative Council, following the suggestion in the 1999 UK White Paper on the Overseas Territories (OTs). It recommends that all OTs should examine their Constitutions and constitutional relationships with the UK to ensure that they suited all the current day circumstances.

The first formal report of the Select Committee was published in October 2005. Following the General Election in November 2005, the Select Committee reconvened to enable the new Council to consider the Report and propose amendments to it.

The Second Report was published in August 2006.

Falkland Islanders were consulted throughout the process through the publication of several documents raising particular subjects for consideration as well as discussions held between Councillors and groups of constituents.

A Final Report was submitted to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in May 2007.

Following negotiations between the Select Committee and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, a draft Constitution was produced for public consultation. All Falkland Islanders had opportunity to discuss and comment on it at all stages before it was finalised.

The Constitution is not drafted in the Falklands nor amended in any respect by the Falkland Islands Government. The Constitution is an instrument of Her Majesty's Government and is amended by the Privy Council on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The constitution can be checked here: http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly...der%202008.pdf

[Marauder Shields]

Argentine war cemetery in Falklands vandalized
By MICHAEL WARREN, Associated Press – 7 hours ago BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Someone has vandalized Argentina's war cemetery in the Falkland Islands, repeatedly smashing and shattering the glass that protects the country's sacred Virgin.Police are seeking suspects, and the islands' government condemned the crime on Tuesday."Clearly we condemn any action of this sort and very much regret that this might have happened. Anyone who knows anything about the cause of the damage should contact the police," **** Sawle, a member of the islands' legislative assembly, said in a statement.Families of the Argentine war dead blamed British hostility for what they called an "act of sacrilege" and sent letters to Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman and Britain's ambassador in Buenos Aires, John Freeman, demanding an urgent and exhaustive investigation."We believe that reflects escalating hostility by certain British sectors who are influential locally," their commission said in a statement. "We will not let up until this repugnant act of sacrilege is clarified."The Argentine government also condemned the vandalism, demanding that the British government mount an impartial investigation that identifies and punishes those responsible. The statement made mention of the Falkland Islands Government, which Argentina doesn't recognize, and blamed Britain for provoking the "barbaric act" with its "hostile attitudes."The vandalism could have happened anytime in the last week or earlier, said Sebastian Socodo, an Argentine who takes care of the cemetery that holds the remains of 237 Argentine combatants killed during the 1982 war between Argentina and Britain."It's basically the glass that covers the Virgin Mary. They just smashed the glass. I don't know with what or how," Socodo said. "I was there a couple of weeks ago and there was no damage."Images of the damage show the glass was broken by more than a dozen sharp blows. The Virgin figure, whose blue and white garments are the only expression of Argentine pride permitted in the islands, has been removed to protect it from the elements until the shrine can be repaired.The remote cemetery has been the focus of attention during this year's 30th anniversary of Argentina's occupation of the islands, but on most days and nights, the lonely hillside more than an hour from the capital of Stanley gets few visitors.In all, the war claimed the lives of 649 Argentines and 255 British soldiers, along with three elderly islanders. Argentina has not given up its claim to the Malvinas despite losing the war, and accuses Britain of ignoring UN resolutions urging sovereignty talks.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...cb9ad734419c96

[CJvR]

Well this should be easy to clear up, there is only about 3000 suspects with an obvious and valid reason to hate Argentina.

Families of the Argentine war dead blamed British hostility for what they called an "act of sacrilege"

LOL! If there is any governmental hostility that have triggered this it is the constant malevolence of their own regime.

http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/01/...y-in-falklands

[scttgillies]

Should never take out anger and hatred at a memorial to another countries fallen. Its not right, no matter what has happened in the past. Soldiers don't make wars, they only fight and die in them.

[armored_diplomacy]

Should never take out anger and hatred at a memorial to another countries fallen. Its not right, no matter what has happened in the past. Soldiers don't make wars, they only fight and die in them.

^^
Very well said. I´ve being told it´s the first time something like this happens in 30 years.

IMO, in such small community the truth about this is 2 or 3 beers away. It´s a matter of time untill whoever did this reveals his role in a bar ...

[Arfah]

It may not have been caused by a local. Might've been a serviceman ?

While it's a despicable act, it's not the crime of the century so I doubt there'll be a massive police hunt.

The shrine will be repaired/replaced and life will move on.

[armored_diplomacy]

It may not have been caused by a local. Might've been a serviceman ?

While it's a despicable act, it's not the crime of the century so I doubt there'll be a massive police hunt.

The shrine will be repaired/replaced and life will move on.

What makes it curious for me is that whoever did this did not attack any tomb, and once he/she gained access to the figure, it was left untouched.
Anyway, as you pointed, nothing else happened.

[armored_diplomacy]

Falkland Islands debates and prepares for the development of the oil industry

A public debate on the future of the Falkland Islands in the face of income from oil exploitation is required rapidly, according to a Member of the elected Legislative Assembly.


“We as a government and society have to start making things happen”, said MLA Gavin Short in his speech to the Motion for Adjournment at the meeting of the Legislative Assembly.

MLA Short revealed that the Falklands’ government was hiring specialists to give advice but a public debate on the new situation was needed.

“We must get the best advice on fiscal matters that we can. There must and will be a socioeconomic study done so that we can get a handle on just what the impact will mean to our community”.

In terms of infrastructure required MLA Short drew attention to funding having been allocated into the alternative water supply, but “we may have to beef up roads and areas for dumping spoil environmental protection”.

In a veiled observation of the situation and the local reaction MLA Short described the Falklands’ government and the private sector as being, “a bit tight-fisted,” the result being that local workers had moved to the oil industry.

Rest here: http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/03/...e-oil-industry

[DrEnzo]

What makes it curious for me is that whoever did this did not attack any tomb, and once he/she gained access to the figure, it was left untouched.
Anyway, as you pointed, nothing else happened.

I doubt it had any motive just idiots + drink = shame to our nation

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-memorial.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...rrounding.html

[armored_diplomacy]

I doubt it had any motive just idiots + drink = shame to our nation

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-memorial.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...rrounding.html

Totally shameful, indeed.

[armored_diplomacy]

Falkland Islands’ assessing options for the expansion of port facilities

Falkland Islands port facilities are under assessment given the prospects of oil industry activities in the near future and two options are being considered by the local government: a new port project, and an interim development of the current facilities at FIPASS.


“Some immediate action is required in terms of survey work, design options and priorities to keep FIPASS operational” said Member of the Legislative Assembly **** Sawle following the July Executive Council meeting.
The weights the oil industry are talking about in the near future are more than FIPASS can currently cope with and a solid structure is needed to the west of the barges, MLA Sawle told the Falklands’ weekly Penguin News.
A paper compiled by the directors of Natural Resources, Central Services and Projects noted that work to identify provisional costs for the preferred new port location, had begun and would continue over the next 12 plus months, including the assessment of the detailed environmental studies and conducting of marine and land based geotechnical surveys.

.....


With the current three berths in operation and an average turnaround of 1.5 days, FIPASS could potentially fail to meet requirements in terms of berthing space by 2014 it was noted, adding that extending FIPASS to enable a five berth scenario for example, would delay this potential fail point until 2017.
Potential losses incurred through vessels having to wait to come alongside for a berth had also been assessed, and although indicative only, a figure of 30,000 US dollars per day had been utilised as a realistic cost.

Rest here: http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/04/...ort-facilities

Interesting, so for both tourism (actual) and oil industry (potential).

[armored_diplomacy]

US Noble Energy farms in to explore for oil in east and south Falklands’ waters

London AIM listed Falkland Oil and Gas announced it has reached an agreement to farm out a 35% stake in most of its Falkland Islands’ exploration licenses to the US Noble Energy to help fund its drilling plans off the Islands.


Likewise FOGL announced the beginning of drilling at the large Loligo prospect to the south of the Islands.
Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NBL), is a leading US global exploration and production company and the licence position consists of 40.000 square kilometers.
Under the deal, Noble will pay a total of between 180 and 230 million dollars over the next three years on exploration and drilling in the Falklands’ blocks and to cover some historical costs on the blocks, FOGL said in a statement.
The farm-out deal with Noble is FOGL second this year after selling a 25% interest in its northern area licenses and a 12.5% stake in its southern area blocks to Italian energy company Edison in June.
According to the release Noble will farm-in to the Northern Area Licences for a 35% interest except for two excluded areas. FOGL will continue as operator of the entire Northern Area Licences until early 2013, when operator-ship of the farm-in area will be transferred to Noble.
The excluded areas within the Northern Area Licences will be delineated both geographically and stratigraphically and comprise the Loligo complex and the Nimrod-Garrodia complex.
Noble will not participate in certain stratigraphic horizons in these excluded areas and FOGL will retain a 75% interest and operator-ship with Edison International Spa holding the remaining 25% interest. However, Noble will remain a participant in the excluded areas regarding other horizons.
Noble will also farm-in to the Southern Area Licences for a 35% interest, with FOGL continuing as operator of these licences until no later than early 2014, when Noble will become the designated operator.

rest here: http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/06/...lklands-waters

[armored_diplomacy]

Some info about transport:

Transport and Communication

Freight is transported to the Islands from the UK and South America by both air and sea.

Recent developments in shipping arrangements now mean wool can be collected directly from Stanley and Fox Bay Village for containerisation direct for shipment to world markets. For the first time wool shipments have been sent directly to a processor in Eastern Europe and containers of fish have been shipped direct to a customer in St. Petersburg.

The primary port is located in Stanley Harbour and known locally as FIPASS (Falklands Interim Port and Storage System). FIPASS comprises a floating network of barges installed by the military after 1982. It was purchased by the Falkland Islands Government in 1988 and is currently operated by Byron McKay Port Services Ltd. The Government is researching options to build a new port facility (^^ check post #9)

In addition, there is a small commercial wharf in Stanley Harbour owned by the Falkland Islands Company (FIC). Located in close proximity to most retail and commercial operations, this jetty offers a four metre draft with limited warehousing, storage areas, water and fuel supplies. The coastal supply ship, the Concordia Bay, is normally based here.

The road network currently extends to 786km. A 5km spur road has been constructed from Port Howard to Second Creek, to facilitate a cross sound ferry link between East and West Falkland. Over the next three years the Public Works Department plans to construct a further 50km of new road in Camp thus completing the links to all occupied mainland settlements. In addition, substantial sums of money are being invested to upgrade existing sections of road, which has latterly included replacement of a bridge at Little Chartres to remove a weight limit bottleneck in the heart of the West Falkland network. A new ferry and coastal shipping vessel, the Concordia Bay, operates scheduled coastal voyages between New Haven and Port Howard, linking East and West Falkland.

International flights fly from Mount Pleasant Airport. An aircraft chartered by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) flies to the UK twice weekly and LAN operate a weekly Airbus 320 or similar aircraft to Santiago in Chile via Punta Arenas.

The Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) operates four, nine-seater Britten Norman Islander aircraft to over 35 landing strips across the Islands.

DHL offers a courier service, co-ordinated locally by the Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce.

Cable and Wireless operate standard national and international telecommunications services, which includes a mobile phone network and island wide Internet facilities. Broadband is currently being phased in across the Islands.

(http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Transpor...unication.html)





Different Ports in the Islands:

source: http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/index/FLK.php




Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Port of Chartres - Port Detail

Information and contact details for Port of Chartres in Chartres - Falkland Islands
Port Location:		Chartres
Port Name:		Port of Chartres
Port Authority:
Address:		Chartres Falkland Islands
Latitude:		51° 42' 48" S
Longitude:		60° 4' 56" W
Port Type:		Pier, Jetty or Wharf
Port Size:		Very Small

Port of Fox - Port Detail

Information and contact details for Port of Fox in Fox Bay - Falkland Islands
Port Location:		Fox Bay
Port Name:		Port of Fox
Address:		Fox bya East Falkland Islands
Latitude:		51° 57' 20" S
Longitude:		60° 4' 23" W
UN/LOCODE:		FKFBE
Port Type:		Pier, Jetty or Wharf
Port Size:		Very Small

Port of Hill Cove - Port Detail

Information and contact details for Port of Hill Cove in Hill Cove - Falkland Islands
Port Location:		Hill Cove
Port Name:		Port of Hill Cove
Address:		Hill Cove Falkland Islands
Latitude:		51° 29' 50" S
Longitude:		60° 6' 42" W
UN/LOCODE:
Port Type:		Pier, Jetty or Wharf
Port Size:		Very Small

Port of Port Albemarle - Port Detail

Information and contact details for Port of Port Albemarle in Port Albemarle - Falkland Islands
Port Location:		Port Albemarle
Port Name:		Port of Port Albemarle
Address:		Port Albemarle Falkland Islands
Latitude:		52° 8' 11" S
Longitude:		60° 33' 29" W
Port Type:		Pier, Jetty or Wharf
Port Size:		Very Small

Port Howard - Port Detail

Information and contact details for Port Howard in Port Howard - Falkland Islands
Port Location:		Port Howard
Port Name:		Port Howard
Port Authority:		Port Howard Farm
Address:		Falkland Islands
Latitude:		51° 36' 20" S
Longitude:		59° 30' 28" W
Port Type:		Pier, Jetty or Wharf
Port Size:		Very Small

Port of Port Stephens - Port Detail

Information and contact details for Port of Port Stephens in Port Stephens - Falkland Islands
Port Location:		Port Stephens
Port Name:		Port of Port Stephens
Address:		Port Stephens Falkland Islands
Latitude:		52° 5' 56" S
Longitude:		60° 49' 50" W
UN/LOCODE:
Port Type:		Pier, Jetty or Wharf
Port Size:		Very Small

Stanley Harbour - Port Detail



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Information and contact details for Stanley Harbour in Stanley - Falkland Islands
Port Location:		Stanley
Port Name:		Stanley Harbour
Port Authority:		Falkland Islands Company (FIC)
Address:		Stanley Falkland Islands
Web Site:		www.fihplc.com
Latitude:		51° 41' 18" S
Longitude:		57° 50' 11" W
UN/LOCODE:
Port Type:		Harbor
Port Size:		Small

[CJvR]

There is also the military port facility south of Mount Pleasant.