MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Blair reaffirms Falklands' position, ignores “war of words”

The British government stated it has nothing to say about remarks from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Thursday calling on the United Kingdom to return the Falkland/Malvinas Islands to Argentina.

Prime Minister Tony Blair spokesperson in his daily briefing at 10 Downing Street said on Friday "it's not to anybody's benefit to get into a war of words on this", adding that the "British government's position on the Falkland Islands has been stated many times, and that remains the position".

Last Thursday Venezuelan president Chavez recalled that the "Malvinas" were taken from the Argentines and emphasized "Mr. Blair return the Malvinas Islands to Argentina".

"To those islands went (in 1982) the British Armada to trample over Argentine soldiers, supported by the United States government, by imperialism".

The Venezuelan leader statements were in reply to Mr. Blair's Wednesday call on Venezuela to abide by the rules established by the international community. In the House of Commons, Mr Blair was asked by Colin Burgon, an MP from his Labour party, whether Britain should follow "a really right-wing US Republican agenda" in relation to Venezuela.

"It is rather important that the government of Venezuela realise that if they want to be respected members of the international community they should abide by the rules of the international community," Mr Blair replied. "I also have to say with the greatest respect to the president of Venezuela that when he forms an alliance with Cuba I would prefer to see Cuba a proper functioning democracy