MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK minister in Chile accuses Argentina of economic blockade to the Falklands

Browne and Chilean minister Larrain during the press conference

United Kingdom’s Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne on a two-day visit to Chile criticized what he called the “economic blockade” to the Falklands Islands by saying it “wasn’t right” and again reaffirmed the right of self determination for the Islanders.

“The UK’s position is very clear. We don’t believe that an economic blockade to the Islands is right” Browne remarked during a press conference after meeting with Chilean Economy Minister Felipe Larraín.

He added that the UK was not looking to create a controversy with Argentina. However, “we absolutely believe in the right for self determination” he reiterated.

UK Foreign Minister, Jeremy Browne, arrived on Monday in Chile for a visit that will include a meeting with President of Chile Sebastián Piñera to discuss the future of air links to the disputed Islands.

The meeting between Browne and Piñera was scheduled days before the arrival of Cristina Fernández to Chile on March 15 for an official visit. Likewise, the British official’s trip comes weeks before the 30th anniversary of the Malvinas War in 1982.

In December, Chile announced its support to the Mercosur decision to restrict the entrance of ships flying the Falklands flag to its ports.

“I think the average Argentine citizen just wants a good job and a good salary to care for their families. If I were Argentine, I would be more worried about a stable economy, low inflation, and job creation than the Falklands (Malvinas). The majority of Argentines have never even visited, and it doesn’t make a difference in their lives” said Browne repeating concepts of a Sunday interview with Santiago’s El Mercurio.

Browne also complained about measures Argentina has taken to block the entry of basic goods to the Islands, citing a decree that requires all ships that intend to dock at the Malvinas to solicit advance authorization.

“We hope that the people of Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, and other countries see that it is not acceptable for a large and powerful country to establish blockades to attempt to hinder the quality of life of people that live on remote islands,” he said.

“Britain’s stance on the sovereignty of the islands is well-known and is based on the right to self-determination, for the people to decide their own future, a principle honoured by the United Nations. We believe it’s a good principle and I think that all countries can appreciate it. I don’t see many countries that say they don’t support self-determination,” he said.

On the other hand, he assured that “thirty years ago” the British government learned that although it isn’t preferable to resort to military action, “it’s always best to be prepared.”

“We believe that the Falklands (Malvinas) Islands are well defended. We need to defend them because of the political conflict generated by Argentina. We don’t want to start a military conflict in the South Atlantic but we have learned that it’s always best to be prepared, even if one hopes to be diplomatic. The people of the Falklands want to live in peace to determine their own future. We learnt that 30 years ago,” Browne insisted.

Browne is on a three country visit that will also take him to Colombia and Peru, besides Chile.

“Latin America is a vibrant and diverse continent, full of opportunity. We have a wide range of interests there, from business to science, education and cultural ties. Chile, Colombia and Peru are important partners and my visits are intended to strengthen our relationships with them in all these areas”, said Browne.

“Following the launch of the GREAT campaign in Brazil, I am particularly pleased to be visiting the region again in the year of our Olympic and Paralympic Games. London’s Games are a unique opportunity to bring our countries closer together and I look forward to seeing all our athletes compete for gold.”

In Colombia Browne is scheduled to visit Bogota and Medellin. He will meet President Juan Manuel Santos to discuss progress in the bilateral relationship since his visit to the UK in November. He will open an event on infrastructure development and meet a range of business leaders. The Minister will hold conversations on human rights and land restitution with a range of ministers and NGOs, as well as discussing education and culture issues. In Medellin he will open a new Mothercare store: another sign of UK firms’ interest in Colombia as a business destination.

Finally he will visit Peru, where he will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to working on political and business-related issues including counter-narcotics cooperation and climate change. He will meet President Ollanta Humala to talk about security and trade, before raising the UK’s Olympic profile at a London 2012 event in the capital city, Lima.