MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK committed to Falklands in spite of all the “huff and puff” from Argentine politicians

Defence Secretary Liam Fox: “we have the political will and military means”

The UK remains committed to retaining sovereignty over the Falkland Islands in the face of renewed Argentine pressure over the issue, and has the political will and military means to defend the Islands, Defence Secretary Liam Fox said.

The UK minister linked the latest attacks from Buenos Aires to forthcoming elections and said Argentine politicians could “huff and puff” but it will not affect the UK's resolve.

“Those in politics on the other side of the world can huff and puff but it will not change our resolve politically to retain the independence and the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands nor to come to their defence and to maintain deterrence as best we can”, said Defence minister Fox taking questions after his speech to the Reform think-tank

”We have Typhoons already stationed there. We have a very clear message that we have both the naval power if necessary, and certainly any intent to ensure that the Falkland Islands are kept free and their people enjoy the liberation we fought so hard for 30 years ago“ underlined Fox.

The latest salvo in the increasing heated war of words came after President Cristina Kirchner accused UK PM David Cameron of ”bordering on stupidity“ over the issue and denounced Britain as ”a crude colonial power in decline”.

Buenos Aires was boosted by the news that the United States had joined with the Organisation of American States (OAS) to request Britain negotiate over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands. Importantly, the resolution supported by Washington referred to the Malvinas rather than the Falklands.

Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell sought PM David Cameron's assurance that “negotiations over the Falkland Islands with Argentina will never be acceptable to Her Majesty's government”.

Mr Cameron replied: “As long as the Falkland Islands want to be sovereign British territory, they should remain sovereign British territory—full stop, end of story.”

That comment, given in the middle of a stormy PMQs session, earned a stern rebuke from the Argentine leader, who accused Mr Cameron of “mediocrity bordering on stupidity”.

She added: “In the 21st century, Britain continues to be a crass colonial power in decline because colonialism is outdated and unjust. It's ridiculous to hold sovereignty of something that's 14,000 kilometres away”.