Overseas Territories reaffirm self determination and call for de-listing from Decolonization Committee
The British Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council this week agreed a joint statement underscoring a shared commitment to self-determination. The Falklands were represented at the council by lawmakers Jan Cheek and Sharon Halford.
The 10-page statement sets out priority issues and a comprehensive action plan for joint work in the coming year, ranging from promoting economic growth to ensuring environmental sustainability.
“We are committed to a modern relationship based on partnership and shared values,” the communiqué said.
“We share a commitment to the principle and right of self-determination.”
“The people of each Territory have the right to choose whether or not their Territory should remain a British Overseas Territory.”
“Any decision to sever the constitutional link between the UK and a Territory should be on the basis of the clear and constitutionally expressed wish of the people of the Territory.”
“We believe that the UN decolonisation C 24 committee should de-list Territories where this is their wish.”
This was the first meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council, which replaces the Overseas Territories Consultative Councils and brings together Premiers, Chief Ministers and other elected representatives from Britain’s Overseas Territories.
The Joint Ministerial Council will meet once a year at a mutually convenient time and will:
lead work to review and implement the strategy and commitments in the June 2012 White Paper The Overseas Territories: Security, Success and Sustainability;
provide a forum for the exchange of views on political and constitutional issues between the governments of the Overseas Territories and the UK Government;
promote the security and good governance of the Territories and their sustainable economic and social development; and
agree priorities, develop plans and review implementation.
The joint statement sets out priorities ranging from ensuring good governance in public affairs to pushing green initiatives and promoting healthy lifestyles.
The members of the council, which is chaired by Britain’s Minister for Overseas Territories Mark Simmonds also agreed to raise the international profile of the overseas territories.
In particular, the Council will work to build closer relationships with the EU and the Commonwealth.
“We encourage the EU to agree an ambitious Overseas Association Decision that provides real opportunities for enhancing trade and provides effective support for economic development and takes into account the specific interests of the UK’s Territories,” the joint statement said.
“We encourage the Commonwealth to continue to consider opportunities for the Territories to participate, where appropriate, in Commonwealth life, including with small island states, which face many similar challenges.”
Mark Simmonds, Minister for the Overseas Territories, said: “The White Paper sets out a very positive vision for the Overseas Territories.”
“This first meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council has helped us identify an ambitious list of priority areas for action, such as encouraging economic growth; protecting the environment and making government work better.”
“We will work closely with the Territories in the coming year to achieve what we have together set out to do.”
“Many of my Ministerial colleagues from across Government took part in the Council this week, demonstrating that the UK Government as a whole is committed to supporting the Territories.”
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What the C24 should be doing...
‘The Special Committee on Decolonization (also known as the U.N. Special Committee of the 24 on Decolonization, the Committee of 24, or simply, the Decolonization Committee) was created in 1961 by the General Assembly of the United Nations with the purpose of monitoring implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and to make recommendations on its application.’
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Committee_on_Decolonization
I suspect this plan to “build closer relationships with the EU and the Commonwealth”, will be far more effective than Argentina’s anti-referendum campaign.
Not to mention all the possible oil/gas deposits around all these islands, to help win friends.
If they can’t get the C24 to de-list them, they will probably withdraw from the C24 and collapse it.
Malvinistas take note, this group are the Falklanders strongest supporters, and as far as the UN is concerned whatever ends up being applied to these territories, will also include the Falklands.
The argument that Falklands are a, special, or otherwise different case, will simply not apply.
However it is ultimately resolved, whatever happens, Argentina will not be involved.
a) De-list all the BOT's, and cease to ease to exist the following year.
or...
b) Do not de-list the BOT's cause a boycott of 10/16 territories and cease to exist the following year.
There's even a chance other territories on their list may copy the BOT's lead.
genius, I Love it.
means that territory peoples have no chance to be free.
Let me guess. If we chose to be Argentine we could be free of a controlling colonial power?
Don't be Argentine , just be a full independent country representing in UN
will be enough.
We'd like to but Captain Birdseye won't let us.
“We'd like to but Captain Birdseye won't let us.”
I thought Captain “Custard” did want full independence for FI?
That way, they would be more vulnerable to being 'colonised' by a foreign power, nearby. Perhaps???
Full independence is the probably the long term future for the FI and it will shut Argentina up permanently. But it won't be happening any time soon.
Nah, he says he wants us to remain British so that the UK can do whatever they want with us. His whole persona is a scam though. Designed to give the impression of a Brit with some credibility (big fail) but who then fills us with doubt (big fail) about our security and freedom of choice. He's basically a fantasy of Think's to come along from time to time to try to rattle us (big fail).
Thanks for your concerns but we've got plenty of proposed strategies to rectify those issues and we're confident that they'll work. We tightly control immigration and we can open or close the gate as we choose and require. Plus, as the economy continues to prosper the number of Falkland Islanders who will return home will continue to increase. Do you know how many Falkland Islanders live in the UK, New Zealand and Australia alone?
“We tightly control immigration” (specialy when it comes to argentines)
“We can open or close the gate as we choose” (and to whom we choose)
“As the economy continues to prosper” (by exploiting argentine resources)
How many? No idea.
Agreed the FI population is too small for its size.
Solution to birth-rate issue = generous child benefits and free porn?
“As the economy continues to prosper” (by exploiting argentine resources)
Brainwashed anyone........................?
Wherever you are, cut argie heads off. There's nothing inside.
I would imagine all the BOT's had a representative present.
Why do you want to know?
they may well get a very good response,
and the envy of the argies would surley show.lol.
Despite Europe's current economic woes we still have literally millions of foreigners queuing up to get into our country, sadly despite it's vast (stolen) lands and limitless natural resources, the same can't be said for Argentina. Enough said.
i am a BMW addict driver !
is Falklands advisable place to live for me ?
My preferences:
1. Integration into the UK so that we fellow citizens get a share of the wealth we earned by subsidising the possession of the islands with financial and human capital all these years. But the UK Government won't let us even with their debt and deficit.
2. If not then Independence so that the Community can experience what being responsible for themselves really means. But the UN won't let them because they lack the capacity even to ask themselves the Question (SG said so, did he not?).
3. If not then remain a drain on UK tax payers while the weak UK government fails to present the bills for the services they have provided and continue to provide at UK taxpayers expense. No wonder that's the expert crafted and self chosen Question.
Got it now?
Correct
Correct
Incorrect
Like I said. Not a problem.
The UK has no right to the natural resources of the Falkland Islands, they belong to the Islanders and the Islanders alone, and quite rightly that is what the UK does, leaves the Islanders to develop their own resources for the benefit of the Islands.
The Falkland Islands are not the 'burden' that you claim them to be, nor are they a 'drain' on the UK's resources.
Poor DOD, pretending to be from the UK with your faux outrage of how 'much' things cost. Well the defence of the Falkland Islands costs less then 3% of the UK defence budget, and apparently is more than enough to frighten you Argentinians away.
The Falkland Islanders only owe the UK thanks for their liberation and continued protection from the aggressive, colonial and murderous expansionist ambitions of Argentina. And they have thanked the UK in spades.
They honour the memory of those that died to ensure their freedom, and tend their graves. That is more than thanks enough. If you had ever really served in the British Armed forces you would understand that.
Freedom is something that you can't buy with money, only with the blood of those who would sacrifice themselves for the cause, the liberty and protection of a civilian population from a murderous regime.
The Falklands can become independent anytime that they wish, but they don't wish to yet, and the UK will defend them for as long as they wish us too.
I know that doesn't fit in with the Argentine (especially the La Campora) way of doing things. The UK protects the Falkland Islanders because it is the right thing to do. If we had protected them better in the first place the people of the Falklands wouldn't have had to live in terror under a murderous, brutal regime.
Argentina has proved, and continues to prove that it can't be trusted. The moment we lowered our defences they would invade the Falklands.
We won't make that mistake again.
Thanks. They were heart felt words and we are truly grateful to you and the rest of the UK for your unconditional support and empowerment. We really do appreciate everything the task force and all those who have followed in their footsteps have done for us and we will never forget it.
Thanks.
Call it what you like mate.
Self determination Yes...in Britain!
George Galloway Vs 4 callers
@9 minute ”you are English! you are British! but you live 8000 miles from Britain...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx3lRBniTZo&feature=related
Thanks for your support.
There is no mistake but let's just say the UK navy leaves anyway. Maybe the Argentines will come NOT in peace. Sorry, we won't take that chance.
42
You're an Argie. Simple as that.
I think you will find its called democracy and Human Rights. You should read your history books mate and stop spouting propaganda.
41
You're unfamiliar with Argentines then?
All that talk of peace didn't last long.
I am not trying to be rude but I do not understand what you tried to say. Try to say it in a different way.
I don't get your pirate comment.
The islanders have lived in the FI for 180 years, this is their home.
Explain to me how can you call them pirates, knowing that the Falkland Islands had no natives!
Answer me this...
Who do you think should live there???
“Briton!”
Write it in Spanish. As long as you write it (do your best) in English as well, I won't remove the post.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx-kySGlZXU
You are mis-informed my friend.
Like I have pointed out previously the FI had no natives. Many nationalities make up today's Falkland Island population, they have their own Govt and in the future they will probably become an independent nation.
So please explain to me, who the Falkland Islands should belong too and why?
I guessing you think France or Spain or Argentina?
I am well aware that the language of Brazil is Portugese. I hoped you might have enough Spanish to get by but it seems not. Apparently not only us dumb Brits (Nostril the 2nd TiT) are mon-lingual.
Ate logo!
Ah yes, George and the Respect Party. I think you'd do better to cling to Sean Penn.
i wouldnt take too much notice of George Galloway , he thinks he is a cat, along with the idea the Falklands belong to Argentina
Is George Galloway crazy?
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=Y9dwOI3ymzA&NR=1
HMS Sock-Puppet is due for decommissioning?
Hip Hip Hoorah!
You know an argument ahs run its course into the realms of absurdity the moment someone starts pulling out George-the-cat as a supporter.
-----------
“”“”“”“Spain had it's empire and look what happened ”“”“”“”“
yeah: Argentine happened and a few hundred thousands indigenous peoples got wiped off the face of the planet....
and your point was....?
You want to replicate their efforts?
Some people seem to believe that Colonialism can only be conducted by Europeans... Argentina cant be ”Colonialist“ as it isnt European...
smacks of ”Think-Logic” that does... self-deluded.
@ 43 “Thank you for posting the video. It made my day”
You're welcome.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqBBQ5J9BrA
I'm still waiting for my apology!
In case you missed my post, follow the link, comment 47...
en.mercopress.com/2012/12/04/falklands-lawmakers-at-bot-meeting-with-uk-ministers-in-london
www.international-adviser.com/news/uk/first-meeting-of-new-uk-overseas-territories-ends
''Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council - Communiqué'
fco-stage.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/uk-ot-communique.pdf
George Galloway has no respect for disability
www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/sep/04/george-galloway-no-respect-disability
www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/george-galloway-apologizes-for-using-offensive-term-for-the-mentally-handicapped/article4507572/
Your responses are getting weaker & weaker. Do you feel sick?
We are not crying, we are laughing(all the way to the bank!).
But your silly president is crying, whining, moaning & complaining to anyone who will listen!
Poor thing, like you malvinistas, you will never get our lslands.
ln one way, l feel sorry for you lot, with your undeveloped childish reasoning.
You must get over it, move on & realise that the Falkland lslands are NOT yours. (hint:- hate to break it to you, BUT they NEVER have been yours!)
so solly, so solly, no tickee, no laundry(yes, yes, l know!PI).
Your governments continually lie to you.
You'll get over it in time.
Hope this helps♥
Just stating the truth of the matter and showing up DOD for the Argentine troll that he is.
Brasilero: You shouldn't believe the lies and propoganda coming out of Argentina regarding the Falkland Islands.
No civilians were expelled in 1833 only a mutinous murderous group of soldiers from the United Provinces of the River Plate. Argentina didn't exist unitl 1853. The difference between the year 1853 and 1833 is 20 years. So how can Argentina claim something from before their country existed?
In fact the civilian population that Argentina claims that the UK expelled remained behind and their ancestors live on the Islands today.
They are not held hostage by the UK military, and they have their own government, and will one day become an independent nation in their own right. The timeframe of that is completely up to the people of the Falklands, they will become fully independent when the time is right for them. That's self-determination.
Argentina says that the people of the Falklands aren't entitled to the same respect and human rights that everyone else on the planet is entitled to, and they continue to lie abut them, many of their lies contradict each other.
Their defence minister has even said that the moment the UK removes its military presence then they will invade.
You should look at the history how the civilian population on the Falklands were treated during the illegal occupation by Argentina in 1982.
- They denied the people the right to speak their own language
- They tried to force the school to teach the Argentine version of history
- They threatened to murder the whole population
- They planted anti-personnel mines randomly without marking their positons
- They booby-trapped the children's schools desks with explosives.
In other words the Argentines were acting as colonisers not liberators. Would you want to live under the rule of people who treated you like that? Who threatened to murder you and your family?
Answer honestly.
No, but C24 is going to look stupid if the British BOTs boycott it en mass, and the UK matches Argentina's continual harping to the UN about the Falklands with continual complaints illustrating how the C24 are not doing what they were set up for/continual and incessant requests to delist the BOTs, as according to the UN's stance on increasing autonomy, the Brits are following C24 remits whereas the C24 is actually a voice for Argentine and Spanish colonialism.
@17 But no latinos. Nasty, greasy, cowardly, little toerags. Only “brave” in groups and when “fighting” someone smaller.
@19 Can't let scum in. Well, only to clear minefields by hand and clean latrines by tongue.
@35 Poor malvinista. 1. would be illegal. 2. would be stupid. 3. Lovely idea. As a UK taxpayer (you aren't) I am more than willing to give my £1 a year to assist my fellow British citizens on the Falkland Islands. In fact, I think we should increase it to £2 a year so that half can be put in a special “war fund”. It could be spent on additional Typhoons.
@37 Let us not forget that argieland still OWES us for 255 British servicemen and 3 Falkland Islanders. I wonder if we'll have “forgotten” in 260 years? Then there's the reparations for starting the war, for the 775 wounded and all the war crimes. Let's make that a thousand years!
@39 If you post your name and address and promise to swallow it, I'll send you a bayonet.
@41 How hypocritical can you get?
@42 Where? was it a cookhouse or a galley?
@43 Drivel. As usual.
@45 Foolish child.
@49 Good for you! You're going to have to die as well. Brazil is a nice BIG target.
@51 Just watch us bomb your “home”.
@52 Drivel. en.mercopress.com/2012/11/12/ban-ki-moon-and-colonialism-people-should-be-able-to-decide-their-own-future
@59 Why did you post that link? Sounded like someone had jumped on his balls!
@67 Try this: translation.babylon.com/portuguese/to-english/
@74 You answered didn't you?
@82 Why didn't you mention all the other argie war crimes? Like
- positioning artillery between civilian homes;
- imprisoning over a 100 civilians, including children, without food,
water or protection;
- painting the Red Cross symbol on military positions and vessels.
@84 Research, dear boy. No occupants until the French imported slaves!
“Why didn't you mention all the other argie war crimes?”
I would have but I was running out of characters.
I was trying to give Brasileiro a taste of what it must've been like for the Islanders under that brutal regime.
@85 - DOD
Yet again you spout rubbish. There are several ways an Overseas territory can be removed from the C24 decolonisation list.
- full integration with the administering country, with the consent of the people of that territory.
- becoming self-governing but keeping close ties with the administering country, with the consent of the people of that territory.
- becoming integrated with another country, with the consent of the people of that territory.
- becoming a fully independent country in their own right, with the consent of the people of that territory.
Nowhere does it state that another country can take over that territory UNLESS it has the consent of the people of that territory. That's called SELF-DETERMINATION.
The people of the Falklands appear to favour the second option in that list. That is remaining a self-governing Overseas Territory of Britain, with the option of becoming fully independent at some point in the future, should they wish to do so.
The vote in March will confirm THEIR wishes to the UN General Assembly. They will ask to be removed from the C24 list as they will have MET one of the possible outcomes for being removed off that list.
Now if the members of the C24 committee want to keep their cushy jobs, with generous expensive allowances, they'd better listen to what the PEOPLE of that territory want. If they don't then the committee's days are numbered. They will become obsolete, and be disbanded.
Are you crying to get attention or is because all the bad news for the Brits in Malvinas lately?
Do you need some tissue?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sd-j0rKeKw
Hope this helps♥
Now if the members of the C24 committee want to keep their cushy jobs, with generous expensive allowances, they'd better listen to what the PEOPLE of that territory want. If they don't then the committee's days are numbered. They will become obsolete, and be disbanded.
The members are all diplomats from their national delegations and life would be unchanged for any of them. Only three or four civil servants from the political affairs dept have anything like a full time commitment and they would be moved elsewhere. You clearly know very little about the real world as it is lived in the UN.
No, you seem not to understand how these things work.
I'm sure that many of them will still be working for their governments, but they'll lose the cushy flights to 'visit' territories on the list, the expense allowances that go with them, getting to fly 1st class and stay in 5 star hotels; all paid for by the UN.
When they are just working for their own countries, they'll still have expenses, but since they are all rather low level diplomats, I doubt those expenses will be as generous as those they enjoy whilst sitting at the C24 committe.
So no, my argument, as you put it, isn't undermined at all.
Soooo....... there’s where you developed your weakness for apple pie….
Little Pie Company, Hells Kitchen….. perhaps?
Their is no British empire, we gave it back,
On the other hand CFK is still trying to create an overseas empire, ditto..
55 Brasileiro (
Call briton, please!!!
Are you calling [me] or my brother , Britain….
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Why are all you Argies CFK supporters so jealous and envious of us,
Its not our fault you are like you are,
You voted for her, its your problem, so stop crying .
.
Oh for f**ks sake.....
“You clearly know very little about the real world as it is lived in the UN.”
....and the UN is the “real” world is it????
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
clown
Yawn! More crap from the Argentine troll.
Don't worry... It's more than evident that you have really “Been Places”.......not just been places...
Anyhow......Il Medico della Peste!
Brrrrrrrr.....
You really are a Kirk's man, aren't you ;-)
DoveIsoldeThinkdover
I am cucumber not cabbage .
“@101 Dove is old, e thinkd over. Rather sums it all up. You are brilliant as a diamond not green as an emerald, or cabbage perhaps. Not even a turnip. Well done! Keep it up.”
Me 'Thinkus” you are he by your words.
Think has problems with lots of things.
He knows that he, himself is a squatter on lndian lands. People who were murdered by his countrymen's ancestors.
He also is smart enough to know that Argentina has no legal, historical or legitimate rights to the Falklands, yet he persists.
He is just hoping that the UK will just say “ok, Argentina, they're yours”. That just isn't going to happen.
@92 emerald,
Just what are you going on about, my good man/woman.
@94 Dod,
Why would an Argentine represent the UK at the UN?
Seems unlikely.
I find it interesting that some people claim that some or all of the BOTs want independence at some stage. On what is this claim based? Wishful thinking. There is no restriction on any BOT voting for independence.
Every Falkland Islander needs to make sure they vote next year. The closer the turnout is to 100%, the less the UN can ignore their wishes.
Argentina's continual harping on that the UK is failing to “negotiate” according to UN resolutions would be a moot point when the Falkland Islanders have abided by the UN Charter.
@94 “In my time in the UK Delegation”. A fart would stand a better chance!
www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2011/12/13/3389001.htm
en.mercopress.com/2012/09/15/funds-from-confiscated-illegal-fish-used-to-combat-poachers-in-southern-ocean
If you feel the Falklands are your's and asslips argentina's.....take it with force or shut the fuck up.!!! At 15 year's old at the moment, you will be old, gray and more feeble and still be saying the Falklands are argentina's
Sorry to dissapoint you......., but my personal favourite and the one I catch most is the Native American Brook Trout.
No need of deportation.
Argentina 2012: www.afta.org/
Very sad but true.
Have I told you you are a retard? Actually, I take that back, complements are not my style here.
How long have you been here and you don't know my position on the Falklands? Man, I just absorb things by osmosis, but then again my IQ is in the stratosphere so I just sponge knowledge, and I learn everyone's positions just by default. That allows me to bring back comments by anyone here with facile legerity.
I understand you don't have my noetic prowess, but geez you would think after reading my position 50 times (at least), it would imprint. It would seem 20 minute old ducklings have more cortical elasticity than you.
For the record toby, most intelligent people don't go around telling others how intelligent they are.....lol
I will give you this.........you are a great comic....you are the troll tthat just keeps on giving. I bet you are paid well. You real flaw is that your maturity shows through more often than not in most all your posts. Take some advice from yulena, he is obvivously the smartest troll here.
So insulting people on here is better than learning the truth we suppose.
Yuck yuck
.
Kudos to the FCO and BOT's working away quietly while SA nations spit and fume loudly, without any dignity.
”Meanwhile, the UK government and the governments of the Self-governing BOT's are creating effective strategies to counter the mis-information campaigns (state-propaganda) and political/economic harassment they are facing from countries like Argentina.”
Which has been spurred into action by Argentina's repetition of distorted facts. As a result of the the world are hearing the truth about the FIs and the other BOTs.
Whilst the Argentines deny this, I would call this a massive own goal. The Argentines were safer whilst the MLA's /BOT representatives were quiet.
Now the cat's out of the bag.
I'm waiting for the brits to call the RGs bluff and with MLA's present meet with the Argentines and give them a face to face lesson on accurate history and self-determination referencing the history in all context 1820-1833 and highlight the UN Charter that the Argentines are unable to read or decipher.
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