MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands/Malvinas: C24 calls for “negotiated settlement”

The United Nations Special Committee on decolonization -C24- reiterated Thursday in a draft resolution that a peaceful and negotiated settlement was the way to end the special and particular “colonial situation in the question of the Falklands/Malvinas islands regarding the dispute over sovereignty between Argentina and the United Kingdom”.

Acting without a vote, C24 also reiterated its firm support for the UN Secretary-General's mission of good offices in order to assist the two parties in complying with the General Assembly's requests in its resolutions on the question of the Falklands/Malvinas. It requested the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom to consolidate the current process of dialogue and cooperation through the resumption of negotiations in order to find a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute as soon as possible.

The text, introduced by Chile's representative on behalf of its other co-sponsors, Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela, took note of the views expressed by the President of Argentina during the General Assembly's sixtieth session and expressed regret that, despite widespread international support for bilateral negotiations on the future of the islands, General Assembly resolutions 2065 (XX), 3160 (XXVIII), 31/49, 37/9, 38/12, 39/6, 40/21, 41/40, 42/19 and 43/25 had not been implemented.

Argentina's Minister for Foreign Affairs Jorge Taiana addressed the Special Committee, saying that the Malvinas were a part of an independent Argentina that had been separated against their inhabitants' will by an act of force by the United Kingdom in 1833. Argentina had protested that situation ever since. He said that the native island population had been forcibly removed, with no chance for return, and replaced by subjects of the occupying Power. The fundamental principle of international self-determination must not be used to transform an illegitimate possession into full sovereignty. General Assembly resolution 2065 (XX) of 1965 confirmed that the right to self-determination was not applicable to the islanders since they were a British population transplanted with the intention of setting up a colony. That population had never been subjugated to a colonial Power as required by resolution 1514.

However, Dr. Richard Davies, an elected member of the Legislative Council of the Falkland Islands, described the text as "fundamentally flawed", saying that it made no reference to self-determination and that passing yet another resolution requesting a dialogue between Argentina and the United Kingdom would accomplish nothing. Argentina's claim of territorial integrity had no historical or legal basis and that the claim that the Islanders had no political rights was unjust and contrary to United Nations principles. For far too long, Argentina had equated the decolonization process with a claim to sovereignty, but by taking over the Falklands, Argentina would itself become a colonial Power. The Islanders had made a free and informed choice to associate themselves with a United Nations Member State and greatly valued their link with the United Kingdom insisted Dr. Davies.

Richard Stevens, another elected member of the Legislative Council of the Falkland Islands, echoed those claims, saying the Islanders were following their own path and had taken advantage of increased financial and administrative independence to develop on many fronts. They needed freedom from pressures intended to undermine their unique way of life and to force them into an unacceptable relationship with their nearest neighbour. However the Islanders wished to continue their success story and to have a normal relationship with Argentina.

Also speaking Thursday were the representatives of Chile, Brazil, Paraguay (on behalf of MERCOSUR), Peru, Uruguay, China, Sierra Leone, Syria, Indonesia, Spain, Bolivia, Fiji, Cuba, Venezuela, Grenada, Russian Federation and the Congo. Participating petitioners included Maria Angelica Vernet, National Historical Museum of the Buenos Aires Old Town Hall and May Revolution; and Dolores Reynolds, University of Buenos Aires.

In London a Foreign Office spokesperson reacting to the C24 draft resolution said the UK will not negotiate on Falklands' sovereignty unless and until the Islanders "wish us to do so". For the UK defending the right to self determination as set out in the UN Charter "is a matter of principle". "No amount of pressure from Argentina will change that because we believe it would morally unacceptable to force these people to change their government against their will". However the UK remains committed to ways of cooperation "that befit and respect the rights of all parties".