The Falklands

There is a lot of information about the Falkland War out there, and there is still probably more to come.  The thing is there is still lots that we can ask the government for and try to get from them. The thing that we must remember is two things

1. A lot of this information is stored in the National Archive - Under the Thirty\twenty year rule a lot of information is readily available
2. Some of this is still sensitive, as we will find out!

First off, here is a list of Warships that have been to the Falklands Islands since 1982.  The really cool thing about this is that it shows you the ships AND the dates that they went there.  Quite a lot, if you have a little look. We also know about the cluster munition still in the Falklands AND how many people have gone into them.  Did you know that you could get this?  We also know some of the regiments that have served in the Falklands, and what they were doing there too.  Pretty interesting stuff!

So where else can we go on this?  Well, how about “access to any documents or papers related to Falkland Islands´ conversations, agreements and/or negotiations between UK and the Argentine government between 1976 and 1981.”  Due to section 16, they shows the EXACT place where you can get this information and the National Archives!  Good, init?  

So here I come to the the two things that have REALLY got my attention. Its these two requests:

1. Falkland Islands - incursions
2. Operation Shutter

Going with the first, this really got me attention because the request is very big, and broad.  It asks about the incursions into the Falklands by the Argentinians since 1983.  The reasons that this got me attention is because I would like to know this information and would like to try and get this for you guys.  The thing is, this sort of thing should be brought your attention, so watch this space whist I look for the information.

The second one - Operation Shutter - look at this:

“Operation SHUTTER was mentioned in file DEFE 58/274 as a surveillance operation of Argentine airbases during Falklands War (1982). No records of the operation were in the National Archives”

Reading the response, it has been given an absolute dismissal for disclosure.  Not only that but have a little look at the review process. It was reviews a whole heap of times and still nothing.  The amount of scrutiny - even to the point where one of the reviewers stated that if they were to take out the parts that didn't relate to the request, it would be meaningless. The fact that it has been mentioned in several book (See the request) still means nothing.

I would love to know when we will get details of Operation shutter finally released.  Maybe that's another FoI request right there…