MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

OAS calls for resumption of Falklands negotiations

The Organization of American States, OAS meeting this week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, called on Argentina and Britain to resume sovereignty negotiations on the Falklands/Malvinas issue.

The XXXV OAS General Assembly resolution, as with previous ones, states that the issue will continue to be addressed in the coming assemblies until its "definitive resolution".

The resolution praises Argentina's positive attitude for its insistence in diplomacy and dialogue to reach an understanding with Britain and underlines Argentina's "constructive attitude in favour of the Islands inhabitants".

The Falklands/Malvinas resolution was sponsored by Brazil and eight countries made speeches in support of the Argentine sovereignty claim.

Earlier in the day Argentine Foreign Affairs Minister Rafael Bielsa addressing the OAS assembly attacked Britain for continuous "unilateral actions" contrary to the cooperation spirit and which violate the United Nations resolution 31/49 calling on both sides to abstain from introducing unilateral modifications, while the Islands are in the process of "decolonization".

Mr. Bielsa described as unilateral actions in the Islands, hydrocarbons prospecting; awarding mineral exploration licences; continuing to sell fishing licences; fisheries policing in the South Atlantic; British reluctance to continue with military confidence building measures; extending to the Falkland Islands government a status it does not have; holding on to the military base of MPA which has an operational capability far beyond the disputed area; including the Islands and surrounding waters in international conventions.

But in spite of this "annoying and protracted situation", Argentina looks forward to continuing with the dialogue putting an end to the "colonial situation".

Mr. Bielsa also highlighted "practical" understandings reached in different fields with Britain over the years since 1989 such as confidence building; resources conservation; hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation; air and maritime access; the Argentine cemetery in Darwin, and a de-mining feasibility project.

All of which is part of the cooperation spirit with which Argentina has addressed the bilateral issue with the purpose of reaching a "fair, peaceful and definitive" solution to the sovereignty dispute.

"My government has explicitly reiterated its negotiation willingness, however the United Kingdom persists in a negative rejection attitude", claimed Mr. Bielsa adding Argentina will not accept the status quo British attitude.

Mr. Bielsa recalled that recovering Malvinas sovereignty is an Argentine state policy and a constitutional mandate.