Falkland Islands’ referendum: for Canada results are ‘very clear’ but for EC it was an ‘internal affair’
The Canadian government said on Wednesday that the results of the Falkland Islands referendum are “very clear” and “only” the people of the Islands are entitled to decide on their future. However the European Commission refused to get involved in the discussion arguing it is an “internal affair” of an EU member.
“With reference to Monday’s ballot, our position is that only the people of the Falklands can determine their future. The results were very clear”, said Canadian Foreign Affairs minister John Baird in his twitter.
An overwhelming 99.8% of Falkland Islanders with a turnout of 92% voted YES to continue as a British Overseas Territory and only three votes supported the NO in the March 10/11 referendum.
Argentina has repeatedly stated the referendum is ‘illegal’ and does not recognize the existence of Falkland Islanders as a people but rather as an implanted population in a colonial territory.
But for the European Commission the referendum’s decision to remain as a British Overseas Territory was described as an ‘internal affair’ of an EU member and refused to take a stand on the issue.
EC spokesperson Olivier Bailly during the daily news conference recalled that it is not the job of the European Executive to express opinion on issues refereed to the internal organization of an EU state member.
Bailly said he was well aware of the statements from the British government led by PM David Cameron, who pledged not to hold Falklands’ sovereignty negotiations with Argentina as long as that was the Islanders decision. But he insisted that since it was “an internal issue” of the UK, he would make no further comments on the matter.
Canada has displayed a strong position in support of the Falkland Islands right to self determination. During the Americas summit held in Colombia last year, PM Stephen Harper blocked Argentine demands for a Malvinas claim clause to be included in the final declaration.
Baird also revealed in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in August 2012 that it had strongly rejected pressures from the Argentine government on Canadian companies such as Barrick Gold, the world’s leading gold miner and with interests in Argentina, to make Ottawa change its position regarding the Falklands.
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Well, unless France & Germany want to do anything, nobody else really ever gets a say in things after all.
They seriously need to add an edit option
PS
Serious question not a rhetorical question. I prefer a response from Brit or Islander and not a jingoist blogger.
ty
But let us also note in passing that the islands were included as an EU Associate Territory under the Treaty of Lisbon, despite Argentine protests all down the line.
Otherwise, the position enunicated by the spokesman of the Commission is entirely logical and consistent with the Commission's role in the EU. What would have been really surprising would be if they'd said anything else.
As for the EU, I think the response is reasonable personally. The EU recognizes British sovereignty of the Islands in the Lisborn treaty. There is nothing more to be said anyway, the UK/Falkland's people have killed any question for most as we seeing reported in many countries press articles.
ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/octs_and_greenland/countries/falkland-islands_en.htm
SELF-DETERMINATION....Bringing the world together :)))
Since when have the EU not involved themselves in “internal affairs” of a member state when it suits them? The EU expressing solidarity for the UK is something that will not happen since the UK does not kowtow to all the requirements of the unelected commissioners (only most of them). The sooner we leave the better.
Philippe
What sovereignty issue?
A mad harpy dictator from a third world state makes up history to bolster her flagging public opinion due to incompetence.
You see Mugabe trying the same stunt, its a characteristic of looney third world corrupt bankrupt states..
Does it hurt Britain in any way? Not at all, as long as the Argies don't invade again, we are spared the only potential future problem which would be to minimise the death toll, it is britains only concern in this matter.
The islanders themselves have other concerns, fishing, tourism, harrassment and bullying. THEIR referendum was to show the world THEIR thoughts. Britian will try to assist them in minimising the impact of the third world facists next door.
However, relatively soon they will be able to do it for themselves.
This makes me laugh! They've interfered in Italy and Greece by engineering the removal of an elected head of government for whispering the R word (referendum) and replaced them with their own apparatchiks. They're now “approving” national budgets within the Eurozone, and they've decided to interfere with the pay structures of internal companies, knowing full well the democratic issues that holds for the future, and knowing full well the damage that could inflict on one member state, namely the UK.
The fact is, the UK is very Eurosceptic. The politicians are not, but the people are. Each poll shows more people who want out. Most of us a pretty annoyed that the Scots get a referendum on the UK, but we are not allowed one on something very harmful to our future prospects.
To see the EU pass this off as an internal matter is, frankly, better than expected. They only love the money we pump in. They don't like the fact we question how they use it, or why it's so much.
A British MEP has just tweeted about how MEPs within one of the committees are not bothering to discuss what they should be talking about, and instead wondering how they can ban eurosceptic parties. This in itself says it all.
To make a relevant comparison, Cristina herself would be proud of how the EU operates given the similarities to her own administration. And that's why we want out!
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/EU_OCT_and_OMR_map_en.png
Interesting that EU legislation listing OCTs includes Falkland Islands - and calls them just “Falkland” + other language for “Islands” in virtually ALL of the EU languages except French (Malouines) and even in Spanish, they are labelled as ” Islas Malvinas (Falkand)”:
eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX%3A32001D0822%3AEN%3ANOT
No, well done Canada for withstand Argentine economic threats.
By that logic, the EU hasn't recognised anybody's sovereignity over anything. It has also accepted the presence in our skies of flying saucers and alien spaceships, since it hasn't said it hasn't.
Malvinistas might also care to note that recognizing the existence of a dispute, and recognizing the validity of a dispute, are not the same thing at all.
Better yet, give the isle of Wight to the Argies and call it even...
VOTE UKIP!!!! LMAO
“There is certain confusion regarding the Lisbon treaty since the fact that the Falklands are included is “merely descriptive”. Member states enumerate their overseas territories and in this case “it’s an article from previous treaties”.
“This does not imply acknowledgement of UK sovereignty over the Falklands/Malvinas by EU members. This must be defined bilaterally between the UK and Argentina. The fact today is that the Islands are under British jurisdiction and this must be discussed with Argentina.”
en.mercopress.com/2012/01/31/malvinas-dispute-a-bilateral-issue-which-is-not-included-in-the-eu-agenda
So, he may have been/be wrong, he may be off message or he may be right. You can choose for yourself but it looks to me very much like an expression of the current UN consensus in the absence of an EU specific policy. And there is no hope of anything different while Spain and UK disagree over Gibraltar.
Dispute? In the real world, not the farce that is international politics, we deal with disputes all the time. Someone wants workspace that others have maintained, invested and continue to use well and productively even when there is gaslighting, “raids” and other aggressive and passive aggressive actions against the holder of the deed. They want someone else's subordinates, who, incidentally don't want to work with them because they won't pay them enough and/or are jerks. They want someone else's budgets due to their own mismanagement.
In such cases, the answer is well... ”yes there is a dispute that isn't going to go away because we can't fire you (yet, anyway) so we have to 'recognize it,' but the answer is 'no' and if you insist we can have a lame-arsed 'conflict resolution' specialist come in and hold your hand while you throw a tantrum but the answer is still going to be 'no' because it's not your office, it's not your people and it's not your money. Now leave me alone and get back to work.”
Falklands=British
Wight= Argentina
whats this “we”?
You aint British sunshine. lol stoopid sock-puppet.
Captain Poppy: DoverOverDover sint British, s/hes an Argentine sock-puppet who has been caught on at least 3 occasions. Anything & everything from this “person” should be taken with a monumental grain of salt... or better still, plainly ignored.
The truth of the EU position is that a number of the larger states back the UK all the way, but the EU doesnt want to ruffle any feathers whilst it is embarked on a crusade to drum-up new business in south america. As such it took the decisions to tread lightly and avoid public commentary wherever it could.
Unlike the “Good old US of A” though Britain could also probably rely on at least two of them militarily also.
The US of A, of course, would still be struggling to get the fence post out of its Presidents arse.
DoverOverDovers claims about the EU & UN mirroring each other and not supporting the UK, “everybody in the world” seeking the end of Britians Empire... thats all sock-puppetry nonsense. Ignore it.
Bear in mind that this is the same person who recently supposed the Pope would ahve been a good arbitrator over the Falklands issue....
he obviously *forgot* that unlike his homeland the UK is not catholic, and we have a history of not trusting the Papacy as far as we can spit them.
Look up a fellow called Henry for a good example of what happens when Popes mess about in Britain.
Of course if DoverOverDover had actually been british s/he would never in a million years have made such a stoopid-ass comment.... but as good little catholic latino-muncher it seemed sensible.
(Obviously dont let the fact that I find the USA an unrepentent lying-ass-dog of a nation colour your opinion of anything I write in any way )
We you really should do some research on Chinese population projections and especially its dependency ratio in the next few decades. While you are at it, try finding real information on the amount of debt being carried by each tier of of government.
Hipolyte chooses China! PMSL I bet you are one of the people that chose JAPAN in the 80s too! Soviet Union in the 70s perhaps?
I choose Canada!
The EU has stated that it will not comment on the vote by Falklanders on their status, because it is an internal affair: That means an affair that only concerns the British.
I'll write that again for those to thick to understand.
THE EU SAY THAT THE STATUS OF THE FALKLANDS IS FOR THE BRITISH ONLY TO DECIDE.
Since Argentina has no say in the Falklanders either keeping their current status of changing it, why would the EU mention them?
INTERNAL AFFAIR - an excellent comment from the EU.
As for where this one resides and where that ones resides, most all here are liars safe for a trusted few.
maybe the evidence is on the 100 peso note glorifying the war of the desert
I assume that,after your NO side lost and my YES side won in this failed English Public Relations Stunt of a “Referendum”, you will quitely dissapear into the Dover fog.
I look forward to read your sharp comments again, as soon as the FCO fucks up again......
We know it will be soon. ;-)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac%27s_War
Infested blankets with small-pox WTF. Nevermind slavery, colonialism, land stealing (favourite sport) etc...
Does the Rg flag fly over Stanley tonight...Christ I missed all this, what a truly great victory. all I heard was CFK ranting , crying and dismissing the referendum.
fxck off EU Cowards
you just cant be trusted.
Jajaja love it, in our game of table tennis posting try this one , and this one isn't from 250 years ago.
30,000 men women and children and your own people, low even by the Rgs standards
www.boer.co.za/boerwar/hellkamp.htm
Wow 100 years ago good going, still think murdering 30,000 men women and children 30 years ago trumps our past wars, albeit the Boer war was against a white implanted population, similar to Argentinas. Anyhow read one of the many article on Argentinas liking for genocide...quite good for a county that didn't even exist in1833!!! Made up for lost time ehhh???
not for long,
oops sorry forgot the whole world support Argentina jajajajaj
Seriously Canada, cut the apron strings, its getting embarrassing.
invading other countries is bad, remember 30 years ago when Rgs attempted it???
Blair must have a special place in your heart LOL
now stop crying, your defending an impotant humiliated country called Argentina that argues with everyone and has no friends in the world except pariah states!!! Jajajaja none of your friends will lend you money, no countries will invest in your broken country, that you stole from the original inhabitants. the whole of Argentina is based on a stolen land and implanted white European population that murdered the native population.
Jajaja
I congratulate you for being on the winning side for once. The next high spot for me will be reading the full report of the ad hoc RIOM on their ad hoc website or here on Mercopress. I can't wait to find out who was paying them their allowances.
Check your facts DUMMY BOY.
Back to Germany... Hans, Saxons don´t belong to Britain, go and ask the Irish if you don´t believe me...
Thank you Canada.
Shame on you Obama!! Shame on you!!!
Canada is showing you the way!!
So much for you being the “Saviour of human rights”
Did Argentina around 200 years ago systematically murder the indigenous population of the lands stolen to become Argentina??? Just answer the question
blog.usni.org/2012/07/20/iraq-chemical-weapons-moved-to-syria-before-2003-invasion
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-153210/Rumsfeld-helped-Iraq-chemical-weapons.html
The YES vote, (as you and I well knew) was an easy try for Argentina indeed as you can se by the official comments from the UN, USA and EU...
About financing of RIOM-MIOR....
If it was CANADEM they are keeping it pretty secret.....
www.canadem.ca/home/en/component/search/?searchword=falkland+islands&ordering=newest&searchphrase=all
or someone who didn't know 30 mins ago that Sadam had chemical weapons and used them, you sure know a lot now, the wonders of google, we bow down to your recently acquired knowledge on chemical weapons.
Just some gossip....... if you where “Thinking” about investing some of our money on South Atlantic Dairy Farms…….
A little bird tweeted to me...... that one of RIOM-MIOR Independent Observers, Mr. Wyatt Creech from New Zealand has been in contact with the Luxton dynasty in them Islands about............….
Maybe Mrs. Bloggs milk will, one day, be fresher than Mrs. McDod ......
This one is it?
www.nbr.co.nz/tags/wyatt-creech
There's a Luxton in there too. What a coincidence.
I guess you must have heard this tweet when you were over consulting the “Electoral Role” by astral projection?
how CFK must be frustrated to want what she can never have.
With respect to Canada few can it import the legal historical and geographical over the Malvinas, a country whose queen is the queen of England and her anthem God save the queen.
Why do you keep doing this to yourself? The game is up, everyone knows. Having conversations with yourself makes you look unhinged and invalidates anything you might otherwise have said that is vaguely pertinent. Just quietly kill off one and stick with the other, after a while people will forget and move on.
According to Doveoverdover, the EU doesn't recognise UK sovereignty because this matches the UN position. The UN recognises UK sovereignty but also recognises that there is a dispute. Spanish Sahara is a great case in point.
According to Pesky Army up to 250,000 Iraquis have been killed by the UK and the US. 100,000 more than the commonly held civilian death toll.
It's a pity he isn't as upset about the estimated 120,000 Venezuelans murdered during Hugo Chavez's 14 year reign. Indeed wile Iraq managed 4,644 civilian deaths from violence in 2009, according to Iraq Body Count; in Venezuela that year, the number of murders climbed above 16,000.
And finally José who thinks the Queen of England is the Canadian Head of State.
The things people believe!
The UN recognises UK Sovereignty over the Islands.
Argentina and its Allies are members of the UN
Therefore Argentina and its Allies recognise UK sovereignity over the Islands.
The things people say!
“There's a Luxton in there too.” you say.
Second cousin, i'm told........
Ain't the typical Anglo-European approach to corruption that making tons of money is acceptable, as long as it happens after you leave office?
( Cue: Tony Bliar)
The “Referendum” is over.....
We won!
Let the “Milk” and Honey flow ;-)
Did you learn that in school right next to how the Falklands are Argentine.? It explains a lot, really. Idiot.
two things would happen
1, Africa would be over crowded
2, the rest of the world would be empty..lol
Gracie do you believe Canadians ought to give back their land to the natives?
Yes or no? Straight answer please.
I think the main point people are trying to make is the Argentina is accusing the UK of implanting a population on islands that Argentina never owned, when ..now here is the bit you need to think about, Argentina implanted its own white European population to an inhabited country, they then systematically killed the natives.
nobody denies that native people's around the world have in history been conquered and lands stolen, it's the hypocritical stance of Argentina accusing the UK of colonialism when Argentina wants to colonise the Falklands.
now frantically google the points raised and try to divert the discussion
but if is a lie and argentina owns the lot,
then they will listen.
Nobody here is expecting it -But, lets see who is voting which way- pro-against or neutral by say the end of 2013 or mid 2014?
I would not like to predict the actual figures - but one thing I do predict - a continual weakening of support for Argentina as has already started over the last 6-12 months .
Now I am talking about real support OK - Countries that actually INDIVIDUALLY confirm their support for the Arg Sovereignty Claim.
NOT just a list of nations that support the idea of talking and negotiating to resolve - that as you know very very well is NOT actual recognition in anyway of Arg Sovereignty Claims.
All it does is recognise that there is a dispute - which there is.
The Argentine support stands at precisely [ zero]
Is this correct..
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/former-libdem-leader-its-shetlands-oil-alex.20523802
That will teach the English FCO a thing or two about the advantages of “Self Determination for Everybody”.....
Next.... The Kingdom of Caithness. (under Margrethe II)
Then.... The Islamic Republic of Bradford.
Who knows later................
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-21769805
The Grand Duchy of Lancaster looks favourite. You can see the Isle of Man on a fine day and there's Blackpool too (like Stanley but with lights).
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Blackpool_Trawler_Illuminated_Tram.jpg
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