MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Devolved integration or full independence”

A Bulgarian academic foresees the Falkland Islands form of government evolving into one of two principal options of self-determination: “the option of free association or devolved integration, and the option of full independence.”

Dr. Lyubomir Ivanov who is the author of the book "The Future of the Falkland Islands", describes the choice between the two as, "...the choice between two good options rather than between a good and a bad one."

Dr Lyubomir Ivanov's book is based on a lecture he gave in Stanley in March 2003.

The book builds on the lecture and includes contributions from Falkland's Councillors Jan Cheek and Mike Summers, a number of international academics and expatriate Islander, Ernest Spencer.

In summing up, Dr Ivanov writes, "...in terms of internal development independence could hardly bring to the Falklands anything they do not have already or cannot achieve by natural evolution towards devolved integration.

"In external aspect (sic) -which however does affect internal development- independence might somewhat restrict Falklands' capabilities to pursue its national interest. "Therefore, an appropriate form of devolved integration (free association) would seem to combine the advantages of both independence and affiliation to an important country, while minimizing their respective drawbacks."

In the book's foreword Councillor Mike Summers praises Dr Ivanov's "remarkable and interesting" work.

He comments, "The contrasts and parallels drawn by Dr Ivanov and the distinguished commentators on his paper amply demonstrate the importance of both internal and external self-determination, in developing as well as developed nations. It is an interesting interface where devolution and decolonisation meet."

He continues, "...it is in particular the contributions on self-determination from a worldwide perspective, that enhance and broaden Dr Ivanov's paper into a very significant contribution to debate in this area. "They are all to be commended", concludes Mr. Summers.

Dr. Ivanov is giving free copies of his book The Future of the Falkland Islandsto Falkland's residents.