MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
UK Deputy PM Clegg reaffirms Falklands’ British sovereignty
Britain's Deputy PM Nick Clegg talks to Spain's PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero during a meeting at Moncloa palace in Madrid. Britain’s Deputy Primer Minister Liberal-Democrat Nick Clegg said in Spain there will be no change in the stance of the Falkland Islands sovereignty and the Islanders wish to remain British.
“We believe that the rights, sovereignty and preferences of the Falkland Islanders have a primordial importance”, said Nick Clegg during a meeting with the press on his first official visit to Spain.
“We will not compromise the rights, preferences and sovereignty of the Falklands”, said the UK coalition government number 2. “We clearly want the Falklands to remain as part of the United Kingdom”
The statement is interpreted as a reply to last Tuesday’s Organization of American States, OAS, General Assembly declaration which unanimously reiterated support for Argentina’s claims over the Malvinas and South Atlantic islands and called for the resumption of bilateral sovereignty talks in search of a negotiated and peaceful solution to the dispute.
The round of oil exploration in Falklands’ waters licensed by the Falklands’ government and which begun last February has infuriated Argentina that has imposed the need of authorization for all vessels travelling between the mainland and the Falklands arguing they violate “Argentine sovereignty”.
The Deputy Leader of Britain's coalition government also informed his host Spanish president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero that UK will not change its position regarding Gibraltar, which is a British Overseas Territory and whose residents are most happy in remaining British.
”I must be absolutely clear on this point. The (British) Government will not in any way accept a change in the status of Gibraltar unless this is approved by the inhabitants of the Rock,“ said Nick Clegg.
”I know, thanks to my political family (Mrs Clegg is Spanish) that this position is not popular in Spain, but it was the outgoing government's position and one that we share” added Clegg.
In related news the Daily Express published that US/UK relations plunged after the Obama administration sided with Latinamerican countries (OAS assembly) calling for fresh talks with Argentina on the Falklands sovereignty issue.
However, British diplomats have dismissed the move as “symbolic posturing” of no importance.
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Read all commentsSame old, same old ....... but then again, is it?
Jun 13th, 2010 - 02:30 am 0“We believe that the rights, sovereignty and preferences of the Falkland Islanders have a primordial importance”, said Nick Clegg
A subtle shift from, “The UK has no doubt about IT”S sovereignty, etc ... “ to ”... sovereignty .... of the Falkland Islanders..”
Interesting!
On the whole I'd call it a difference that makes little difference.
Jun 13th, 2010 - 07:01 pm 0Whilst Spanish opposition parties sometimes get a little het up, note how Spain approaches the matter of Gibraltar in a calm, dignified manner with appropriate regard for the wishes of the inhabitants. I suppose Spain could run around screaming blue murder to every organisation that would listen, but it doesn't. This is maturity. And Gibraltar isn't even an island!
Contrast this with Argentines and other South Americans. I reckon Spain, Italy and so forth are sitting back saying to themselves, “Thank goodness we got rid of all those fools and fanatics back in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.”
It's worth noting that Spain does not support Argentina's position.
British newspaper quote
Jun 13th, 2010 - 11:16 pm 0“People sometimes ask me why Argentinians make such an endless fuss about the islands they call Las Malvinas. The answer is simple. The Falklands belong to Argentina. They just happen to have been seized, occupied, populated and defended by Britain. Because Argentina's claim is perfectly valid, its dispute with Britain will never go away”
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