Advertisement

Falkland Islander becomes Argentine citizen

By HERNAN PEREYRA

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- A native Falkland Islander who wants to be a policeman became a citizen of Argentina Friday -- the only islander to do so since the Argentine invasion April 2.

Derek William Rozee, 22, was given an Argentine passport and identity papers in a widely publicized ceremony in Buenos Aires as Argentine troops battled British forces for the disputed South Atlantic islands.

Advertisement

'Obviously, I feel a bit worried about the fact that my people are on the Malvinas (Falklands) but what I am doing is not on the diplomatic side. This is personal feelings,' Rozee said.

Rozee was wearing a blue and white ribbon -- the national colors - pinned to the lapel of his sport coat for the ceremony conducted by Federal Police Chief Gen. Santiago Martella.

The sandy-haired islander, who now lives in the mainland town of Azul, 190 miles south of Buenos Aires, was asked if he had spoken to his parents in the Falklands about his decision.

'Yes, I have spoke to them about it but they say, what you do, you do,' he said.

'I first thought of it (asking for Argentine documents) in 1980 when I first came to the Argentine,' Rozee said. 'Then I decided to go ahead in early March of this year.'

Advertisement

Rozee told reporters his ambition was to be a federal policeman and said he hoped to take classes to improve his Spanish. Most of the islands 1,800 inhabitants are English-speaking British subjects.

'I have the enormous satisfaction of giving this youth, the first Falklander to ask for Argentine documentation, his identity card and passport,' Martella said, as he handed Rozee a new passport and identity papers.

'I would like to point out that he will enjoy the same rights and obligations that all of us have,' the general said.

Latest Headlines