She made clear, perhaps before many had ever had cause to consider it,
that the people of the Falkland Islands have the right to
self-determination. This right is enshrined in the Charter of the United
Nations, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
and in the International Covenant in Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights. Never has this right been so strongly defended than in Lady
Thatcher's prompt decision to send a task force to liberate the Islands
from Argentine occupation. Because of her courage and the skill, bravery
and sacrifice of Britain's armed forces – our liberty and our future
were secured.
Maggie during her first visit the the Falklands
In 1983, she was the first person to be granted the freedom of the
Falkland Islands, a fitting tribute to the woman who secured us that
very right. She remains the only person to have ever been afforded that
honour. But Lady Thatcher's legacy in our Islands goes much further than
our liberation. She made the UK's position very clear; there would be
no negotiation over the Falkland Islands unless the Islanders wished it.
This has ensured that subsequent British governments, regardless of
political affiliation, have publicly reaffirmed the right of Falkland
Islanders to determine their own future.
More than 30 years on, the
support of the current British administration could not be stronger.
The 1983 British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act is another important
part of her legacy for the Falkland Islands community. It granted full
British citizenship to Falkland Islanders, who were previously classed
as British dependent territories' citizens. This reinforced our link
with the UK, giving us full rights as British Nationals.
Subsequent to the liberation of the Falklands, Lady Thatcher's
relationship with the Islands became a very personal one. Here she was
able to show a human side that she perhaps could not show at home or
elsewhere. During her two visits to the Islands, she was greeted as a
friend with spontaneous embraces. She delivered inspirational speeches,
aimed at motivating the population to develop not only the Islands but
also to strive for their personal aspirations. She was successful in
both areas – together we have created an economy and a society that many
could never have even conceived 30 years ago.
Lady Thatcher took a particular interest in the future of our young
people. For over two decades students at the Community School have
competed for the Margaret Thatcher Trophy, awarded for services to the
school. Lady Thatcher personally donated the trophy, saying that it
would serve as a reminder “that we, who have been given so much by those
who fought for us, have to give something back”. Our strong sense of
community is, perhaps, an example of how we hold to that ideal.
January 10 every year is marked as Margaret Thatcher Day here in the
Islands, commemorating her second visit in 1992. The road that runs in
front of our main government administration building and the sheltered
housing for our elderly is named Thatcher Drive. But perhaps the
greatest memorial to her is the very act of our community going about
their daily lives and having the freedom to do so.
Today's modern
Falkland Islands is forward looking, internally self-governing and
financially self-sufficient. There is perhaps no greater legacy to her
than what she allowed us to become.
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