Celtic League: Arrogant Woolas Unmoved Over League Patagonia Concerns
The Minister of State for Borders and Immigration has written to the General Secretary of the League in response to his concern that the UK Border Agency policy is having a detrimental effect on the development of the Welsh language, culture and economy, in respect of the strong links between Wales and Patagonia (Argentina).
Minister Phil Woolas stated in an email to Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, that he was well aware of the links, but in his view:
"They don't however, just like all other cultural links with the UK, over rule the immigration law".
Minister Woolas also stated in his email, in response to the two specific cases raised by Mr Tal-e-bot of Evelyn Calcabrini and Shirley Edwards, that he had looked at the cases and "found that they were in clear breech of immigration law. Mr Tal-e-bot wrote a letter to Minister Woolas following the cancellation of the CeltFest festival planned to be held in Caerdydd/Cardiff in November 2009 in celebration of the rugby international between Wales and Argentina.
Organisers of CeltFest cancelled the festival over fears that the Argentine guests to the event would not be allowed entry into Wales by the UK Border Agency, after the experience of Ms Edwards and Ms Calcabrini.
A new Patagonia Branch of the Celtic League was formed in October 2009.
(Article compiled by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot)
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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
14/11/09
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