MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bielsa complains about June 14 victory celebrations

Argentina's Foreign Affairs minister Rafael Bielsa claimed Wednesday before the United Nations Decolonization Committee that Britain is violating agreements over the disputed Falklands/Malvinas islands and complained about the recent June 14 victory celebrations.

Mr. Bielsa argued that the Islas Malvinas originally under Spanish colonial rule have belonged to Argentina since its independence in 1816 until forcibly occupied by British forces in 1833.

Following the 1982 South Atlantic conflict, United Nations has insisted in the resumption of negotiations between Argentina and Britain, but London has consistently refused to address the proposed sovereignty talks.

Mr. Bielsa recalled that beginning in 1989 the two countries began agreeing on practical common issues related to the disputed insular territories and adjoining waters, "with the purpose of preparing the way for a sovereignty negotiation".

The agreements reached include confidence building measures at military level; conservation of fisheries resources; exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons; communications and air access to the Islands.

In the framework of these measures Argentina has tried "creating an appropriate situation leading to negotiations for a fair, peaceful and definitive solution for the controversy", emphasized Mr. Bielsa to the UN C 24.

However the United Kingdom continues with "unilateral actions contrary to the cooperation spirit contained in the provisional understandings and that violate Resolution 31/49 of the UN General Assembly".

The resolution apparently calls on both sides to abstain from unilateral modifications in the current situation until the dispute has been solved.

Mr. Bielsa said that in recent years Britain has proceeded with hydrocarbons seismic prospecting activities; awarded licences for on shore minerals exploitation; has continued to extend fishing licences in the disputed area and hasn't collaborated with the military confidence building measures.

Plus other British initiatives with the purpose of granting the Islands "a status they don't have", as has been the inclusion of the South Atlantic islands in the European Union constitutional treaty.

"Whatever happens with the EU Constitution treaty, the inclusion of these territories does not affect at all or in any way the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Argentine Republic over those territories", stressed Mr. Bielsa.

Finally Mr. Bielsa said he regretted the "pain" caused on Argentines by the British with their anniversary celebrations of the 1982 victory.

"We will never forget it, and I'm not saying this out of animosity, but to remember that we should not do the same when we finally recover sovereignty over those territories".

The Argentine minister also reacted strongly to the speech of Falkland Islands elected Councillor Stephen Luxton who regarding the current policy towards the Islands doubted the democratic commitment of the Kirchner administration establishing a similarity with the past military dictatorship.

"It's a lack of respect I will not overlook", emphasized Mr. Bielsa.

Brazil and Paraguay delegates also addressed the C24 meeting and the resolution project calling on both sides to resume negotiations for a peaceful solution to the dispute, was presented by Chile and sponsored by Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela.