MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

State Department ratifies Falklands’ dispute is a bilateral Argentina/UK issue

State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland

United States insisted that the Falklands/Malvinas dispute is a ‘bilateral’ issue between Argentina and the UK and again called on Buenos Aires and London to solve the issue peacefully, through dialogue.

“Our policy has not changed” said State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland during question time with the press on Thursday at Foggy Bottom.

“We believe this is a bilateral issue that must be solved directly between Argentina and the UK, and that is what we are encouraging both sides, as we approach the thirtieth anniversary” of the Falklands/Malvinas conflict in which “almost a thousand people were killed”, said Ms Nuland.

However the spokesperson did not comment on recent statements from Argentine president Cristina Fernandez who accused the British government of “militarization of the South Atlantic” and the announcement Argentina would present the complaint to the UN Security Council.

“I’m in no position to comment what the British are doing or not doing in the oceans….we encourage Argentina and the UK to solve the issue peacefully through negotiations” said the Ms Nuland on a specific question about Cristina Fernandez claims.

Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman is scheduled to make the formal presentation of the complaint on Friday.

As to the presence of Prince William in the Falklands/Malvinas, Nuland said that is “part of his normal work” as a search and rescue helicopter pilot.

Finally Ms Nuland confirmed Assistant State Secretary for the Western Hemisphere Roberta Jacobson was in Buenos Aires and that the Falklands/Malvinas issue and escalating dispute would be addressed in discussions with Argentine officials.