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Argentina has only shown aggression towards the Falklands, says Summers

Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 15:03 UTC
Full article 29 comments

Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly elected member Mike Summers said the Argentine government has shown no willingness to discuss with the Falkland Islanders and went on to describe Argentina as resembling “a dictatorship with elections”. Read full article

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  • Luis

    Poor guy, his fishing company must be loosing too much money for the “”economic war” of the argentine dictatorial regime.

    Jun 19th, 2009 - 02:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Bob

    Look who is talking
    “Councillor Summers is completely wrong when he says that the Bingham case was about the right to choose who becomes a citizen. The case did not concern the right of government to make choices. The case actually concerned the need for government to act within the law when exercising its powers, not to impose personal prejudice on its choices, and not to abuse its authority. In acting as it did, Executive Council abused the trust we as citizens put in Government to act fairly, impartially and properly.” (Penguin News 12th December 2003)

    Jun 19th, 2009 - 04:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Adrian

    The reality is that the corrupted FIG does not allow mothers to visit the graves of their sons in Malvinas using Argentinian comercial flights, forcing them to fly Chilean airlines at a higher cost nor they want to negotiate with Argentinian Gov.to solve this old territorial dispute and hope that with the time will fade away.Until all this issues are not solved I do not see why they should use our air space to fill the pockets of the FIG members.
    Check the truth your government is doing it.

    Jun 19th, 2009 - 05:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jack

    The Falkland Regime by Dr Mike Bingham
    “This true story tells how twenty years after British troops died for democracy in the Falklands War, a British citizen would be forced to flee the Falklands to escape political corruption and death threats, to seek democracy and freedom of speech in Argentina”

    Jun 19th, 2009 - 05:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin Kuntz

    No, Argentine restrictions on charter flights means that Chilean commercial flights have to be used.

    Jun 19th, 2009 - 05:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Islander

    Adrian, any Argentine war family and veteran can vist and many do, sopme by air and some in summer on cruise vessels for a day. Yes they have to use a Chilean airline - Argentina banned all charter flights to the Islands - not Islanders. We offerred a solution in 2003 - Open-Skies, any charter flight from anywhere by anybody,Argentine,Chilean,American -whoever. Guess who refused it-Kirschener! Your Govt does not want to “solve” the dispute - they simply want to take over! in democracy to get a fair solution both sides have to sit down together -without any preconditions - and discuss and look for a fair solution, and that is not what Argentina seems to want! When menem was president we made progress - Your position on sovereighty was protected - as was ours. Instead both sides made progress on mutual benefit areas like fishing conservation and management, and gradually Islanders were starting to think that Argentina maybe could be a friend and trusted again - and in time who knows where that may have ended?
    But now since the Kirscheners we are right back to 1982 with Argentina seen from here as no more than a big bad bullyboy.

    Jun 19th, 2009 - 08:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Islander 2

    Mike is of course using any means possible to obtain votes for the next election. He is saying what he thinks the local voters want to hear. His opinions should not be taken too seriously as they can be misinterpreted.

    Jun 19th, 2009 - 09:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Adrian

    Islander, you are saying “in democracy to get a fair solution both sides have to sit down together -without any preconditions - and discuss and look for a fairsolution...” I could't agree more with your statement, however are the islander ready to do that? I don't think so, they refused to do that, I hope that I am wrong about that and that can be reached in the near future
    Regards

    Jun 19th, 2009 - 10:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Luis

    Adrian, you are right , Britain (islanders included) must negotiate with Argentina the sovereignty dispute, which does not mean a transfer of sovereignty nor an independence of any kind. Just a dialog of two grown nations to resolve who's the owner of the islands.

    Jun 19th, 2009 - 10:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin Kuntz

    Is Argentina prepared to drop its claim? If it is prepared to enter negotiations about sovereignty it should be.

    But no. The stated position of your Government is that talks on sovereignty comprise discussions on how Britain can transfer sovereignty to Argentina. In all respects it seeks to impose a solution before talks even commence.

    And to the person who asked, the FIG has already indicates its willingness to talk to Argentina. Argentina refuses to talk to the FIG.

    Jun 20th, 2009 - 04:03 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Luis

    Well the uk government is invited to talk about it anytime soon. If their convictions are strong enough why do they evades the UN?.
    The islands colonial government have nothing to do with us, the decolonization committe invite the uk(which include the islanders) and Argentina to resolve the sovereignty dispute.

    Jun 20th, 2009 - 10:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin R

    Luis

    It's quite straighforward.
    1. Argentina disputes British sovereignty in the Falkland Islands.
    2. The UK sovereignty over the Falkland Islands is a legal and recognised by the UN.
    3. The UN has asked Argentina and the UK to resolve the dispute.
    4. The UN has NEVER said Argentine sovereignty is the only outcome.
    5. The UK is prepared to talk, but without any pre-conditions.
    6. Argentina refuse to enter talks without Argentine sovereignty being a pre-condition - Argentina has decided the outcome of the talks before the talks even start.
    7. Until Argentina drops pre-conditions the UK is under no obligation to talk - that is why the UK does not talk, and don't forget - you even say it yourself - the UK and Argentina have been “invited” to resolve their difference. There is no obligation.

    Saludos

    Jun 20th, 2009 - 05:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • BillyH

    The UK sovereignty over the Falkland Islands is a legal and recognised by the UN.
    jajaj!!!!
    es una broma???

    si eso fuera cierto...porque la ONU reconoce que existe una disputa y llama a negociaciones respecto de ella???

    la cuestion de soberanía es la disputa misma, si no se negocia de soberanía, de que queres discutir??? del clima??

    la verdad es que cuando falta razon los argumentos son flaquisimos.

    Jun 21st, 2009 - 01:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin R

    Billy,

    No es una broma. Te juro.

    The UK is recognised by the UN as the “administering power” over the Falklands. That means UK sovereignty and legality, there is no way that argument is a bit soft, actually it's not even an argument, it's a fact.

    The UN recognises the sovereignty dispute, but it has NEVER said the only outcome is Argentine control of the islands. The 1965/2065 resolution simply “invites” Argentina and the UK to resolve their differences.

    Total independence, Argentine sovereignty and remaining British are all options for the Falkland Islands. The key thing is the outcome must be in accordance with the Islanders wishes. Under article 73 of the UN charter they have the right to self determination.

    The Argentine government is only prepared to talk if the outcome is Argentine control (it is even in your current constitution, but was not in earlier versions, especially not the first), so in effect Argentina wants to pre-determine the outcome and ignore the Islanders rights to self determination. Es la falta de razon del gobierno Argentino que es tan flaqo y por eso no esta resuelto la disputa!

    Jun 21st, 2009 - 06:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin Kuntz

    Convictions?

    Since the formation of the UN, the UK has offered on three separate occasions to take the Falklands dispute to the ICJ. On each occasion it was Argentina that refused.

    Which nation is prepared to test their convictions in a forum capable of delivering a definitive judgement? Clearly not Argentina.

    Which leads one to the question, why not? The all to obvious answer is that Argentina is not prepared to go down that avenue for it knows it would lose. Much like the Beagle Channel dispute, the Falklands is an invented claim. Like the Beagle Channel dispute, where Argentine maps showed the disputed islands to be Chilean right up to the point where Argentina decided to rewrite history, the past actions of Argentina give lie to its modern day claims. Much like the old Argentine maps refer to Las Islas Falkland.

    No instead Argentina choses to grand stand its claim in the C24, which is not a forum capable of solving a sovereignty dispute. Instead those non-aligned nations mouth sympathetic platitudes and ignore the responsibilities of their office.

    Jun 22nd, 2009 - 05:14 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Luis

    Justin R, you said:“” The UN recognises the sovereignty dispute, but it has NEVER said the only outcome is Argentine control of the islands“”
    So if the un recognize there is a sovereignty dispute regarding malvinas islands ergo that means the un does not recognize british sovereignty over those islands, they only recognize they administered them right?.
    Besides in the case of malvinas i dont find where the un say that Argentina must respect Islanders wishes, can you find the link for me?

    Justin Kuntz, About the Icj you are absolutely wrong. In 1947,1948 the United Kingdom offered to submit to the icj the falkland/malvinas dependencies and the antartic territory. And in 1955 they submited the matter to the Icj , having Argentina and Chile denied any jurisdiction of the court.
    As i said the falklands/malvinas dependencies and the antartic territory not the malvinas itself, only its dependencies.

    Links from the International Court of Justice:

    Argentine,Chile-vs-UK dispute:
    http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/26/9069.pdf
    In this link there is all the case presented in 1955 and at the end there is a map concerning the disputed territory.

    List of all cases presented in the International Court of Justice.
    http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/26/9069.pdf

    Jun 22nd, 2009 - 08:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin R

    Luis,

    “So if the un recognize there is a sovereignty dispute regarding malvinas islands ergo that means the un does not recognize british sovereignty”

    No, not at all. The UN would not designate the UK as administering power if it did not have sovereignty over the Islands.

    Jun 22nd, 2009 - 03:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Luis

    No the un didnt designate, it is a defacto situation.

    Jun 22nd, 2009 - 10:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin Kuntz

    When the UN reports the comments of Argentine officials, they are reported as the UN supporting Argentina. An old trick and not a particularly effective one. Yet one the UN recognises the British permission, the UN is apparently unimportant. I don't suppose you even noticed the hubris in that statement.

    Jun 23rd, 2009 - 02:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin R

    Luis,

    De facto AND de jure. You can't argue with that. It's an undeniable fact, unless you can show me some UN resolution or how under international law that is not the case. I can guarantee that you will not be able to do this.

    Jun 23rd, 2009 - 03:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin Kuntz

    Luis,

    Did I miss something? Has Argentina dropped the claim to the Falkland Island Dependencies as was? As I said Argentina has been offered 3 chances to take the dispute to the ICJ, on each occasion it was Argentina that refused.

    And those are only the occasions where the offer was made in public. During the New York talks Britain offered to refer the Falklands dispute to the ICJ.

    My comment was 100% correct, your attempt to quibble about the details are pedantry and a poor attempt to distract from the fact they are 100% correct. Nice try, no cigar.

    Jun 23rd, 2009 - 06:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Luis

    Justin R, You are asking me to show you Un resolutions? you were on and on and on refuting my quotes from international sources as important as the United Nations official webpage or the Falklands-british government with pure propaganda and only one source (darwin.org). Dont you think it is you guys who should substantiate more your coments????.
    If i quote british sources that says argentine settles were expelled you say they are secondary sources so it is not valid for you. If i quote a United nations link that describe the colonial status of the islands and even a map you discalify the UN as a farse cheat of argentine colonialist empire. If i quote The ICJ ( international court of justice)with all cases ever taken and even a map showing that dependencies and antartica were submited, then there is the other Justin acusing me to distract him with details.
    The same happens with the census, with vernet , darwin and who knows what else im forgetting.
    All im asking Justin is a simple link with all your responses and statemens if it is not too much to ask, becouse if i say something, you say the oposite and we will be here for ever dont you think?

    Jun 23rd, 2009 - 12:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin R

    Luis,

    You have said the Falklands are de facto British, but not de jure.

    I will repeat my simple request above:

    Can you to show us proof that the UN does NOT consider the Falkland Islands as de jure British.

    Jun 23rd, 2009 - 03:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Luis

    Justin R, i can show you proof that the UN consider malvinas islands as a disputed territory and that they are under a colonial situation. Is that good enough for you?.
    There are a lot of info, so if you want to read it be my guest, im more than willing to give you the links.

    Jun 26th, 2009 - 12:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin R

    Luis,

    You've ducked my question. How convenient... I'll reply to yours when you have shown me how the Falkland Islands are NOT de jure British.

    Jun 26th, 2009 - 03:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Luis

    Justin, the dispute of sovereignty recognized by the UN constitute in itself a proof that the islands are in a defacto situation. Perhaps you can show me the links where the Un consider the islands de jure british.

    Jun 26th, 2009 - 11:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin R

    Luis,

    The sovereignty dispute does not change anything, the islands are still British territory de facto and de jure. You have not shown me any evidence to the contrary.

    The UN recognises the sovereignty dispute over the Islands via Resolution 2065/65, and invites UK/Argentina to resolve their dispute, but that resolution does not question de jure British sovereignty over the FI.

    Jun 27th, 2009 - 05:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Luis

    Justin Justin, look if the Un recognize malvinas as a disputed territory, it means the un does not recognize a legitimate owner of the islands, so how can the un recognize the islands as the jure british???. Is this a problem of words for you???.
    You british never lose isnt it?.

    Jun 28th, 2009 - 12:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Justin R

    Luis, it's not a problem with words for me. It's all about facts.

    Resolution 2065/65 simply notes that a dispute exists. It does not in any way state or even imply that the legal situation would change because of Resolution 2065/65, in other words the Falkland Islands were de jure British territory before Resolution 2065/65 and the Falkland Islands remained de jure British territory after Resolution 2065/65, as they do to this day.

    Jun 28th, 2009 - 10:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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