Letero al Elfyn Llwyd, MP

Letero de Dafydd Iwan

…de la Caernarfon Denbigh Herald:

Three things have happened recently which have distressed many people in Wales, not to mention the distress caused to the individuals involved.

The first was the refusal of the immigration authorities to allow Evelyn Calcabrini and Shirley Edwards, both from Patagonia, to come to Wales to study Welsh and English, and Shirley also to visit her sister at Tremadog.…

The case of Arfon Gwilym, refused a visa to the United States because of his part in the non-violent campaign for a Welsh TV channel almost 40 years ago, is another example of bureaucracy gone mad. …

The third was the inexcusable bad manners shown towards Cefin Roberts and the singers of Ysgol Glanaethwy by a small part of the audience at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru.…

Surely, these three examples prove that we have some way to go still until Wales and the Welsh language are given the respect and status they deserve.

If anyone would like to show their support for Shirley and Evelyn, there will be a concert at Rehoboth chapel, Nant Peris on Saturday, July 11, the proceeds of which will be used to secure their return to Wales to finish their studies.

Peticio por Evelyn Calcabrini

…de la Agence Bretagne Press:

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.

Evelyn Calcabrini

….de le BBC:

A woman has been sent back from the UK to Patagonia after immigration officials refused to believe she was travelling to Wales to learn Welsh.

Evelyn Calcabrini, 20, was heading to Glyndyfrdwy, Denbighshire, to stay with a local couple for six months.

MPs are going to raise the matter with Welsh Secretary Peter Hain. The UK Border Agency said it ran a "firm and fair" system.

There has been a Welsh settlement in the South American region since 1865...