MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islanders views “do matter” PM Cameron warns Argentina

PM Cameron: “Argentina is continually trying to hide the self-determination argument”

UK Prime Minister David Cameron praised the planned Falkland Islands referendum over its sovereignty as he warned their views “do matter” and told Argentina not to ignore them.

During Wednesday’s question time at the House of Commons PM Cameron was asked by Conservative MP Nigel Adams to remember “those who fell 30 years ago” to recapture the Falkland Islands, “and to oppose any further World Bank loans to Argentina.”

“Argentina continues to dispute for the sovereignty over the Islands and also continue to receive billions of pounds from the UK through the World Bank,” MP Woods said.

“Will the Prime Minister join President Obama in instructing his officials to vote against any more such loans to Argentina?”

Mr Cameron replied: “I think he makes an important point. No British taxpayers' money is spent on World Bank loans to Argentina; I think that is an important point”.

”But I think even more important is what happened yesterday (Tuesday) where the Falkland Islanders have decided that they are going to hold a referendum to demonstrate that they believe in self-determination and I think it's so important, because Argentina is continually trying to hide this argument and pretend the views of the Falkland Islanders don't matter, and they do matter”, emphasized PM Cameron.

“I hope the Falkland Islanders will speak loudly and clearly and Argentina will listen”.

The Falkland Islands Government announced on Tuesday it would be holding a referendum next year on the political status of the Falklands to clearly express Islanders views and counter Argentina’s misleading rhetoric including that “we are held hostage by the UK military”.

“We are holding this referendum not because we have any doubts about who we are and what future we want, but to show the world just how very certain we are about that” underlined Gavin Short spokesperson for the Falklands’ Legislative Assembly.

The referendum will be organised in the first half of 2013 by the Falklands Government that will invite independent, international observers to follow the process and verify its outcome.