Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Falklands Invasion Alert

This is being denied however many times in denial there is confirmation.

Contemplated within the context of the Grand Game a Falklands invasion may not be cod’s wallop. The Falkland Islands are close to the Strait of Magellan. While the Strait of Magellan is not one of the ten major choke points that are now being fought over it is significant enough to merit new consideration.
#msg-4024852

-Am

FIBS NEWS DIRECT: MONDAY, 23 MAY 2005
FALKLANDS INVASION ALERT:

“Falklands Invasion Alert” was a headline story on the front page of yesterday’s Sunday Express but there is nothing to worry about according to officials here. This morning, Corina Bishop (CB) spoke to this month’s Council Representative, Cllr Norma Edwards (NE) to find out what she thinks about the article.



NE: I don’t really know what to make of it. I think it is just somebody who is looking for a story and must be hard up for a story. I spoke to Emma on the phone in the UK and asked her to buy the paper had have a look at the article for me and she read it to me. It’s written by somebody called Stuart Winter. He’s not a well known journalist by any means. It seems to me that it’s probably old interviews with people that have been patched together. I haven’t a clue who his source is within the Ministry of Defence. But as far as I know, It’s a load of cod’s wallop. It’s an alarmist kind of article and I can’t really see the sense of publishing something like that and there is absolutely no truth in it.



SF: The article, which takes up two pages, claims that the military presence here is to be increased from 3,000 to 5,000 within the next three months and that the recent arrival in the area of HMS Portland is a move to reassure the Islanders. Corina asked Governor Howard Pearce (HP) what he makes of the story.



HP: I am very puzzled by it. And, I can say that there is absolutely no substance in the story. It is, of course, common knowledge that the current Argentine Government has reduced the level of co-operation with the Falkland Islands but there is no reason at all to believe that there is any increase in the threat to the Islands’ security. I can say, too, that there are no plans to increase the size of British Forces in the Falkland Islands and also that the current deployment of HMS Portland in the South Atlantic is entirely routine.



CB: What, if any action could be taken against the paper? Would anything be done, do you think?



HP: That’s very much a matter for the UK Government. But it’s not uncommon for inaccurate stories to be carried in the press.



CB: Do you think this could have any impact on Britain’s relationship with Argentina?



HP: I certainly hope not. And, I think the Argentine authorities understand as well as we do that sometimes newspapers carry stories that have no basis in facts. I am sure it happens in the Argentine Press from time to time.



CB: So you are saying that people have absolutely noting to worry about?



HP: Absolutely nothing to worry about at all.




http://www.falklandnews.com/public/story.cfm?get=3263&source=2