MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands challenge Argentine arguments at United Nations

Cllrs. J. Robertson and R, Stevens underlined the Falklands right to self determination

Falklands government representatives have strongly challenged traditional Argentine arguments used to support their claim to the Falkland Islands.

At the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization Session today, Councillor Janet Robertson reacting to the Argentine argument that it inherited Spain's possessory title to the Islands when it declared independence from Spain, stated, "In fact the Spanish settlement had been evacuated in 1811, leaving the Islands without any administration. It also ignores British claim to the Islands which it had held since its settlement at Port Egmont was established in 1765." She also argued that the British did not forcibly expel the Argentine population in the Islands in 1833 and in fact the military garrison was returned to Argentina but the civilian population of 32 was invited to stay. She noted that although Argentina argues that Islanders have no right to self-determination as they are a transient and transplanted population, 'This is not true. We have 8th and 9th generation born Falkland Islanders whose ancestors settled the land decades before Patagonia, in the far south of Argentina and Chile, were occupied by European settlers. Today we are a nation of immigrants from all over the world, much like any other economically successful territory" Councillor Robertson questioned the "rigid criteria" used by the C24 for decolonization asking, "What is emancipation if not the democratic right to decide their own political status? Or must they be told by this committee what status they are permitted to have, circumscribed into three choices which may not suit their own wishes and interests?" She stated, "It is our profound wish that Argentina recognize that we can no more negotiate on our sovereignty than a person can negotiate away their fundamental rights and freedoms, and that it realizes that their argument is indeed not with the United Kingdom in the UN, but with us, the people of the Falkland Islands, who are exercising our right to self-determination. She added, "It is our profound wish to have a normal and neighbourly relationship with Argentina so that the ghosts of 26 years ago can be laid to rest for ever." Leading the Falklands delegation Councillor Richard Stevens presented the Falklands as a, "...modern, stable and distinct country." He said, "From the nineteen eighties to the present day we have had a slow but constant flow of immigrants joining our community from a variety of countries including 30 whose birthplace is Argentina. Today we boast the greatest number ever of native Falkland Islanders but also people living in our community from over 60 different countries. Is this any different from any other New World countries?" He highlighted the Falklands healthy economy saying, "We don't have any borrowing and we have resources which are 2 ½ times the annual operating expenditure which demonstrates a strong and well managed economy." Councillor Stevens also commented, "We are proud? to boast one of the best managed fisheries in the world," adding, "a coordinated approach could bring better control to the High Seas which is part of the SW Atlantic fisheries." He spoke of the Islands modern health and social services, modern telecommunications, adding, "most people live in houses that have modern conveniences with some properties using cutting edge technology like solar energy." Politically, he said, "we continue to improve our democratic processes developing a system where local politicians drive policies and are accountable for their actions to the electorate." He explained, "It is worth noting however that the new constitution, that is nearing completion, will make the governor bound to the advice of Executive Council in internal matter unless there are very good governance grounds not to" "How different this is to the first councils of the Falklands that were made up from members nominated by the crown in 1843." By Lisa Johnston - SeAled PR - Stanley

Categories: Politics, Mercosur.

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