Falklands’ referendum will be done under scrutiny of “international observers”
The referendum to decide the political future of the Falkland Islands will be done under the scrutiny of a “whole series of international observers” come early 2013, Legislative Assembly member Dr Barry Elsby has said.
Dr Elsby, who has responsibility for oil, the environment, historical buildings, mining and demining, told a group of Caribbean journalists that “the referendum is to try to send a signal to the world about the wishes of the Falkland Islanders as to what they want and how they wish to determine their own future”.
The question of the status of the self-governed British overseas territory has occupied centre-stage since the British and Argentine war in 1982 after the Argentines invaded the Islands originally discovered and mapped by the British.
But since 1982 although Argentine forces surrendered to a British Task Force, the different governments in Buenos Aires have repeatedly argued that the Islands were rightly theirs. However, Britain has upheld that the Falklands people have a right to self-determination as enshrined in the UN charter and to decide on their future and status.
Dr Elsby said that the all-important question to be put to the voters has not yet been set due to the delicate nature of the issue.
“...That is because we want the referendum to be seen as totally fair, totally above board and not in any way biased. And so it might seem that the question is very easy to ask but what we don't want is for someone to come back and say that question was leading... so we are asking organisations that are experts at setting questions to ....phrase the question. These are going to be world-respected groups,” Dr Elsby explained.
“...It's taking a little longer than we thought but we are determined to have this referendum in a totally free and fair way and be validated so that we can stand up in the international forum and say, look this is the wish of the Falkland Islanders, if you believe in a people having the right to determine their own future the Falklands had spoken and that's all we are trying to say to counter the whole barrage of misinformation from the Argentines,” he added.
Dr. Elsby said the intention is to send a signal to the democratic world of what the Islanders want.
“We are not looking for independence at this time. That's an option but I don't think there is any move at the moment to be independent. We are very certain as to who we are now which is a self-governing British Overseas territory,” he said.
“We are absolutely not a colony; we are absolutely self-governing,” he emphasised further.
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“We are not looking for independence at this time. That's an option but I don't think there is any move at the moment to be independent. We are very certain as to who we are now which is a self-governing British Overseas territory,” he said.
And he is taking so long to set a question which will be fair and open.Within the parameters set for a fair and open response.I'm still laughing at such a contradictory stance.
I think they should snick her head off, so that if the Kraken attacks again they can turn it to stone by holding the snake headed harridans head towards the beast.
Maybe it occupies the centre-stage in British Fairy Tails... but when it comes to the International Community, you´re a Non-self governing colony.
www.un.org/en/decolonization/nonselfgovterritories.shtml
“We want the referendum to be seen as totally fair”.
Well, given the fact that the demographic controls preventing argentines from settling... that “fairness” is at least doubtful.
So your idea of fair is to flood the Falklands with Argentine nationals and let them vote on the islands' future?
There isn't anything stopping Argentines from settling. What 'demographic controls'?
But let the argies arrive. Lots of ocean in which to dump the bodies!
www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/fires/main/world/20121004-falklands.html
1.000.000 dollars without IVA
very difficult the questionsssss
www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Falklands--a-problem-we-would-dearly-love-to-have_12675816
“Non-self governing colony. ”
No, if that was the case the laws would not be made on the Islands, and the fishing/oil licenses/civil aviation (etc etc etc) would be issued from London.
As FIG make these decisions, plus they run a different education system from the UK they are clearly self-governed.
And now they are starting to run their foreign policy.
That leaves reliance on the UK on only one factor , defence, to deter CFK's Imperialist Pirates from invading.
.....no place to find a decent apartment building.... or a 5 star hotel...yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak
Thanks for that. What a cool picture. The commentary has jumped to entirely the wrong conclusions. They are not 'wildfires'; they are fires deliberately started to burn off the tops of the whitegrass to encourage the growth of new shoots. It only happens at this time of year; it will be too dry in a week or two.
“No Class”.
Coming from you ?
seems you are a little jealous of what we actually have on the Islands. No amount of Money or super hotels or even high rise buildings will beat this peacfull way of life. You on the other hand are unable to relax anywhere because someone is likely to steal your patch or your property.
Only people who right such rubbish is likely the ones who do not have what they want. The Falkland Islanders have all that they want. 300 miles of Atlantic ocean between them and Argentina. And all that lovely oil to the North and South of us. Does it not make you feel kinda annoyed to know that #16
“We are absolutely not a colony; we are absolutely self-governing,” he emphasised further.
It's what the voters will want to hear when campaigning starts for his re-election. True or not.
You are a weapons grade idiot!!
“Dr Elsby clearly comes from the “say it often enough and say it loudly” school of politics.”
Then he can join the long, LONG line of Argentine politicians who do the exact same thing, oh and all of those whinny a**ed Malvinasists who think that just because they cry “Those are ours” that it must be true.
to a man, may they all roast in hell.............
I never yet saw a politician campaign for re-election by telling the voters what they don't want to hear. Your politicians are exactly the same. So are the Americans.
Mitt Romney isn't saying that 47% of Americans are dead beats because he believes it. He's saying because he thinks he can get 53% of the voters to believe it.
I don't know why you would think we were incapable of understanding what Barry's saying and deciding whether we agree with it or not. Doh, I forgot, you think we're all stupid ignorant benighted Bens. Silly me.
Fairy Tails are those made up stories such as “there were no argentines expelled”, “we are not a colony but a self governing territory”, “argentines are wellcome to settle”, etc. etc. etc.
I didn't say 'Argentines are welcome to settle'. I said there are no demographic controls in place. They are not the same thing.
To settle here you would have to apply for a job that no Falkland Islander could do, and be appointed. Appointment boards are not allowed to discriminate against anyone on account of their country of origin. That is the legal position. Whether you would be made 'welcome' or not is another question, and you can't legislate for it.
There are Argentines living and working here. That is not a fairy tale.
Let's not forget the biggest fairy story of all : “Malvinas Argentinas”
When your Govt has enquired to London about things like Aerolineas Flights, War Cemetery affairs, etc etc-
Why does London alway say to ARG- ”Those are all affairs under the control of the Falkland Islands Govt - not the brtish Govt- you need to ask the Islands?
Do please answer this.
If we were still an old fashioned Colony - then those questions would all be decided and answered by London!
On your historical rubbish of 1833 - only 4 civilians left of their own free will- all the others not associated with the Buenos Aires Militia stayed on here. Many of them were named and referred to by Charles Darwin when he visited in the 1840s. At least one married a British settler and had children whose bloodline is still here - so you have descendents with S American blood in their veins who do NOT want you to take them over!
The last of those original settlers died in the late 1860s - and her grave is here in Stanley Cenmetery.
Now tell me - do you still believe the crap CFK and Twitmas preach to you?
Argentines do come and settle in the Islands - I know of 2 families who have arrived and settled in the last 18months. They are treated EXACTLY the same as people from Britain - you get a job- a workpermit -a medical check - and that is it.
Malen - what are you on about and what is IVA - sounds like some form of artificial birth control!
the 3,000 folkloosers are the retards....living in such Malditas islands...
Mother Nature....hurry up...rock those islands away!
I get the difference. It´s a pitty you don´t welcome argentines.
Malvinenses are more than welcome in mainland.
@29 Islander
London is who is answering. This “self governing” fantasy is the card London is playing not to negotiate.
London doesn't negotiate because there is nothing to negotiate.
Welcome or not Argentines are allowed to and have moved to the Falklands.
Mother Nature....hurry up...rock those islands away!“””
Help translating this...?
Your problem is that self governence is not a fantasy.
Falkland Laws are made by FIG, not parliament in London.
Fishing and oil licences around the Falkland Islands are not issued by London, but by Stanley.
Go figure.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA0MLDznlSc
@37 Hahahaha That was a funny one.
On Rejecting the Self Governing “Fantasy” this is pure projection in behalf of Argentina. I suspect this view truly represent the management structure that **Argentina** would rather impose in the “Malvinas” should they regain the same control over the islands that they briefly had in 1982, it's governance and resources ruled from and for the benefit of Buenos Aires and Ushuaia rather than Port Stanley.
The UK Environment Protection (Overseas Territories) Order 1988 was applied to the Falkland Islands by the Environment Protection (Overseas Territories)(Amendment) Order 1997. Although this order is largely similar to the Falkland Islands Marine Environment (Protection) Ordinance 1995 above, under the UK Colonial Laws Validity Act of 1865 if there is any contradiction between the two the UK legislation shall have precedence. For further guidance please contact the Department.
Devolved powers from Westminster give the Falkland Islands Executive the right to issue licenses and dispose of revenues. Those powers could be taken back at any time - it says so in the 2008 Constitution that the Islanders got the FCO to write down for them.
“Go figure” doesn't really carry much weight in the face of the authoritative written word.
Chuckle chuckle
Not perfect for everyone it seems.
Oh yes,all as you wish.
Just like Gibraltar,and Libya and Australia and Nigeria and USA.
Then you have little to worry about, other that wagering tongues.
You are entitled to live in freedom without threat or hindrances.
For these uneducated indocronoughts that still believe you are being held hostage,
Just goes to show, the kind of lives they them selves live.
They are envious and jealous of you,
Keep up the good work,
You know it gets up their goat...
.
We raise our own taxes and spend them as we choose. We make our own laws, which are sometimes the same as those in the UK and sometimes not. We have our own Defence Force which receives very generous funding from FIG. We have no need for a 'standing army'. Our head of state is the Queen (yes, just like Australia).
Does that cover everything?
Do you have a point?
Otherwise he would have no interest..
.
What we will see here is democracy in action and what, those democracies are going to ignore the result? call me optomistic, okay, I am optomistic. Some how I do not see them ignoring it.
A political masterstroke on the part of the FIG.
Agree, disagree?
We are not 'occupied by the UK' What a crazy statement. Prior to 1982 there were 56 Marines here. The UK military are here to defend us from you.
There are plenty of independent countries in the world with no standing army. They don't have to defend themselves because they don't have neighbours that want to invade them. Do you think Monaco has an army to defend itself from the French? Or the Vatican from Italy? And who has the 'power of veto over them? Nobody. Argentina is belligerant and irresponsible and it is threatening us.That is the difference. Oh and that we are a British Overseas Territory by choice. We like it and it suits us. We aren't 'occupied'. You are living in the past.
We will be allowed to vote for whatever we like. We are going to set the question ourselves. At the moment the momentum seems to be in favour of keeping it simple to avoid confusion. Personally I think it should have independence as an option. I don't think many people would choose it, but I think it should be there.
Our elected members will try to represent the electorate as they see fit.
Referenda always have restricted choices. A simple yes/no choice is preferred for the sake of clarity. I think that if this is the case, the question should be 'do you want Argentine sovereignty?'. And don't tell me what I think. You clearly have no idea.
and the mighty queen CFK your rightfull leader, will come to your rescue,
and turf out the dredded brits, and you will all then be welcome back into the bossem of your mother country.
still,
as long as they put chocolate ice cream on top..??
You are wrong...
....there is no “standard” classification for argentine and USA citizens...I think differently from others argentinians and others USA citizens.
But, the rubbish bloody english people are all the same....rubbish bloody!... All around the WORLD...the british are known as the most rubbish people!
there is always gold in them there muck.
and against missiles show of UK in a peaceful region
www.lmcordoba.com.ar/nota.php?ni=107195 or google
We don't care where our elected representatives were born as long as they do a decent job. I do wish someone from Chile or St Helena would stand for election.
I don't think the Queen takes a personal interest in what our government does, and pleasing her isn't high on our list of priorities. What are you quoting anyway? Where does it say ''please the queen'' in the constitution.
The beauty of it all is that your opinion of the way we run our affairs is not required. It has nothing at all to do with you. As long as we are happy with it, you can just move along. I don't presume to tell you how to run your affairs, so you can just butt out and mind your own business. I don't think it is appropriate for you to lecture us about good governance and democracy.
56 malen
This was a peaceful region until you invaded a defenceless country in 1982. This is your fault. Get over it.
alas, something the viking queen CFK demands..
And we the countries of the region build peace and agreements for peace.
Incidentally Monty,when did I tell you what too think or do or say,isn't it Dr Elsby that is denying you those activities?
Dr Elsby is there to represent the people. That's how democracies work. I'm not surprised you're finding that a bit hard to understand.
60 malen
You can't expect the British Army to keep track of all your public holidays.
The missile practice is just to make sure they still work. It's been going on for 30 years and you start complaining now?
We have offered to talk to your government about peace. We are still waiting for a reply.
We are still waiting for UK to sit for dialogue according to UN resolutions. But they dont dialogue, no talks.
You could not be more wrong, they most certainly do have a standing Army and an Airforce and a Navy, who do you think liberated them? What, you think that because they live at the bottom of the world, their fellow islanders (Reference there to the British Isles) will not defend them! Their standing army is called the British Army and after twelve years of combat fighting, it's an awesome army.
So you see your statement is that they can not defend themselfs is silly, must be, or you would have invaded again.
Let me put it like this, the duty of the Armed Forces of Britian is to defend the British, the Falkland Islanders are Britsh. Ergo, they have a standing. Navy, Army and Airforce. I hpoe that clears up your misconceptions of the Falklands Defence Forces.
They are our people. leave them alone!
“it's an awesome army.”
...and bullets can still go through them.
”
...and remember who has the legal claim. The friendly neighbors to the West.
As you raise the issue of the UN, have you thought about lobbying your Government to put pressure on the Secretariats of the C24 and 4th Committee to propose how the SG remit to provide “good offices” might be taken forward?
FIC - Chapter V: The Executive: The chapter states that executive authority in the Falkland Islands is vested in the Queen and is exercised on her behalf by the Governor (Colonial Viceroy).
If you read further you`ll notice your Colonial Viceroy should please the Queen in the Metropolis.
I`m not lecturing you about governace. All I`m saying is that your Government is “self-determining” anything. And I`m not giving my “opinion” about how you run your afairs. (Appart from the fact that you`re doing it in Argentine soil). I`m only describing it.
The UK invaded Argentina: 1806 - 1807 - 1833 - 1845
You got your own way only in the 1833 one.
you are the agressers.
So what. The ones that count here is the failure in 1982 and the eviction of the squatting garrison in 1833.
We have no interest in re-running any kind of aggression against your country, those days are over.
Yours is still at it trying to steal the Falklanders homeland and either force them out or to live under foreign occupation.
we are surprised argie troops aint claiming torture of british troops.
its all crap,
still,
the innocent men womes children babies, that the mao mao killed will just be fogotten, will it not..
”( you get the idea) after so many years of cover-up and lying, from their empire days.Now they just cover-up and lie about their colonial times.”
And Argentina was a good colonialist by buthchering thousands of native Amerindians?
Or perhaps we in UK can feel good that even our worst excesses pale into comparison with Argentinas's dirty war of the 1970s which included acid baths, priests having their eyes gouged out,and left by the road to die and people being thrown out of aircraft into the South Atlantic.
You too have a guilty past, which only dates back 30 years.
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