Falklands flag flies in Westminster to honour islands' liberation from Argentine occupation
16 Jun 2014 12:55 PM
Falkland Islands flag
raised to mark Liberation Day.
Communities Secretary Eric
Pickles raised the flag of the Falkland Islands outside his department’s
headquarters in the heart of government to mark the islands’ Liberation
Day.
On 14 June 1982 the Falklands
were freed after an unprovoked Argentine invasion – as Argentinian
commander General Mario Menendez surrendered to British forces at Stanley
– marking the end of the war in the South Atlantic.
Events to mark the
islands’ liberation from a 74-day occupation now take place every year on
that date.
Eric Pickles, Secretary of State
for Communities and Local Government, said:
Today, we pay tribute to the
bravery of our Armed Forces who liberated the Falklands from totalitarian
aggression 32 years ago on this day.
British forces risked their
lives to defend British sovereign territory and the rights of British people to
determine their own future. This was a victory both for freedom and the
indefatigable spirit of those living on these Islands.
Further
information
The flag flying is part of a
wider initiative to recognise and celebrate local, national and international
flags, including Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.
Britain has 14 Overseas
Territories which encompass over 600,000 square miles and are home to 260,000
people - more than Nottingham or Newcastle. The Falkland Islands are made up of
over 700 islands with the two largest, West and East Falkland home to around
3,000 people.
Working with the
independent Flag
Institute, the government is encouraging more local communities to
create their own local flags. The Institute has published a guide on creating new local and community flags.
The government has also relaxed
the planning rules relating to the flying of flags to make it easier for a
wider range of flags to be flown without the need for express consent which
could cost up to £335. The changes are helping increase the number of
flags people can fly, promoting integration and community
spirit.
The United Kingdom Union flag
always flies in superior position on the department’s primary flag pole.
The secondary flag pole flies a range of national and international flags; the
default flag is the Cross of St George, reflecting the department’s work
with local government in England.
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