MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falkland's Governor urges Argentine respect for Islanders rights
The Falkland's Governor Mr. Howard Pearce, speaking at the official opening of the 35th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference, has urged Argentina to respect the Islanders right to self-determination. In particular he pinpointed the Argentine Government's recent banning of charter flights between Santiago and the Islands.
Mr Pearce, who in the mid-70's worked in the British Embassy in Buenos Aires as a 3rd secretary said:
'The development of communications both by air and by sea has to be one of the Islands key priorities for the immediate future. Unfortunately geography provides Argentina, which persists in it's claim to the Falklands, with the opportunity to obstruct these developments. We have recently been encountering problems over clearances for charter flights from Chile bringing in cruise ship passengers. Our friends from Gibraltar will understand these problems only too well. Islanders are ready to engage in practical co-operation with Argentina where it is in their interests to do so, but only the basis of full respect for the Islanders right to self-determination'.
The Governor's statement comes as Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell begins his second day of talks in Buenos Aires with the Argentine Government. Mr Rammell has also stated that there can be no suggestion of any progress on air links between the Islands and South America, until Argentina lifts its ban on charter flights from Chile to the Falklands.
The Falkland Government is hosting 28 delegates from the European and Mediterranean regions at this years Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference.
Bill Brown - MercoPress - Falklands.
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