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Following the refusal to allow entry to a student of the Welsh language from Argentina into the UK in May 2009, a petition has been set up on the No. 10 Prime Minister's website calling for the Prime Minister of the UK to help preserve links with Patagonia.
The petition states:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to make it absolutely clear to all the staff of the UK Border Agency that the United Kingdom consists of four nations and that the staff of the Agency should not damage Welsh links with Patagonia by refusing entry to people from Patagonia wishing to visit the Land of their Fathers."
On 25th May 2009, Evelyn Calcabrini who lives in Chubut Valley, Patagonia, a Welsh speaking province of Argentina, was refused entry to the UK by the English Border Agency. Ms Calcabrini had made her way to the UK travelling for 35 hours from Patagonia to Buenos Aires to London, before being interviewed for several hours, only to be returned once again to Buenas Aires. Even though Ms Calcabrini had letters from Eos Griffiths and his Patagonia-born wife, Carina, who live in Glyndyfrdwy, Denbighshire, containing proof of where she was going to live in Wales and the purpose of her visit, the Border Agency refused to believe her.
After the intervention of Plaid Cymru MPs Elfyn Llwyd and Hywel Williams, who were contacted by Ms Calcabrini's friends in Wales, the Secretary of State for Wales in London, Peter Hain and his Minister Wayne David later promised to meet officials of the British Government Home Office to discuss the matter.
The creator of the No. 10 petition, Roy Davies, told the Celtic League that Evelyn Calcabrini's case was not unique and that other Patagonian travellers to Wales have also been turned away by the Border Agency.
The Chubut Valley in Patagonia was settled in 1865 by Welsh speaking people and the language is still spoken there. In recent years the links between Wales and Chubut have been strengthened
On 19th June 2001, following a visit to Patagonia, First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan said that it was vital that Wales keeps its close links with Patagonia and continues to support the Welsh community who have proudly held on to their Welsh traditions and culture for 135 years.
Petition:
(Article compiled for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot)
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
22/06/09
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