MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US “neutral” on Falklands” dispute but recognizes UK administration

The United States has a “neutral” stance regarding the question of the Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty but recognizes the current British administration of the Islands, said US State Department spokesperson during the daily press conference.

“We are cognizant of the issue and its history. I think we are neutral on the question of sovereignty. We do recognize the current UK administration of the Islands”, said Philip Crowley, US State Department spokesperson.

He added that “what we encourage in this case is what we encourage in other areas where there are disputes, that this can only be resolved through good faith dialogue between those two countries”.

Asked if the US would be willing to step in and be an arbiter should the dispute continue, Crowley said if such a situation arises it would consider it.

“Usually, the first step in arbitration is that the two countries will ask for a third party to be the mediator. If we ever got that kind of request from both sides, we would consider it”, indicated Crowley.

UK has said it is willing to reopen negotiations with Argentina, but not on sovereignty issues or the exploitation of hydrocarbons in the waters surrounding the Falklands. The UK government position is that the Falklands are British based on the right to self determination of the Islanders, principle enshrined in the United Nations charter.