MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire arrives in the Falklands
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Hugo Swire arrived on Monday afternoon to the Falkland Islands for a visit that will extend from 10-14 February. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rules'The world's 16 remaining territories that still do not govern themselves must have complete freedom in deciding their future status,' Ban Ki-Moon 2010
Feb 10th, 2014 - 07:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.speroforum.com/a/33140/Remaining-nonselfgoverning-territories-must-have-full-freedom-of-choice-Ban-says#.UdHcad5wz9B
The Secretary-General's comments echo 2x UN ICJ Advisory Opinions that state, 'the right to self-determination is applicable to ALL non-self-governing territories.
Poor Argies - the truth is out there...
Hugo Swire message to the CFK Government..
Feb 10th, 2014 - 07:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0These are historic times for the Falkland Islands
to remain an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom
his Message to the world,
The Falkland Islands’ people exist.
They have a voice, and must be listened to,
Argentina continues to close its ears to this message,
It is shameful that they should make threats
A nation of some forty million pressuring a community of three thousand in the twenty first century
The Islands are in an excellent state,
And defended by the British,
Need we say any more…
.
.nope.
BREAKING NEWS Cristina Kirchner dispatches Hector Timerman to The UN to complain
Feb 10th, 2014 - 08:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@3 That will be an interesting meeting with Banky: “Whaaaaaaaa!!! Swire is taking the 'interests of the people of the Falkland Islands' into account! Make him stop complying with UN Resolution 2065. It's so not faaaaaiiiiirrr! I can meet with antisemetic holocaust deniers who murdered my countrymen and have no interest in turning them over but we do the charade anyway for needed dollars but meeting with two democratically elected representatives of the islands is sooooooo haaaaaaarrrrrd.”
Feb 10th, 2014 - 08:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0UN Confirms that Britain is Not in Breach of Resolutions Over the Falklands
Feb 10th, 2014 - 08:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://falklandsnews.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/un-confirms-that-britain-is-not-in-breach-of-resolutions-over-the-falklands/
”These Islands are a democratic, self-governing Overseas Territory and are rightly proud to be economically self-sufficient”
Feb 10th, 2014 - 09:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Well said sir!!!
The Falkland Islands have done very, VERY well. No thanks to their next door neighbour.
In your face argentina!!!!
There at the same time as the Uruguayan delegation? Coincidence??
Feb 10th, 2014 - 11:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I doubt it :-)
Oh Lord Ton
Feb 11th, 2014 - 02:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0You'll cause Cristina's wig to fall off!
5 Brit Bob
Feb 11th, 2014 - 04:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0Interesting old article written by a retired Englishman in Thailand.
Mr. Swire
“The people of the Falkland Islands are British because they have chosen to be so”
Why ask British people if they want to be British?
@9 Marcos
Feb 11th, 2014 - 06:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0You know very well that the referendum didn't ask them if they wished to be British. It asked them if they wished to remain a British Overseas Territory.
A completely different question. If they had voted no, then the next question would've been:
Do you wish to be fully independent or integrate with another state?
But it is all a moot point as the people of the Falkland Islands voted overwhelmingly to remain a self -governing British Overseas Territory.
And that is why your corrupt and inept government have been so very desperately trying to invalidate their referendum, with very little success.
@9
Feb 11th, 2014 - 09:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0Well one reason was to refute the lie that Argentina has perpetrated that we would be Argentine if we were given the choice.
marcos
Feb 11th, 2014 - 09:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0In 1814 the Spanish in South Americawere asked if they wanted to be Spanish...they said no and became United provinces.
In 1828 the United provinces people in Montevideo were asked if they wanted to be UP...they said no and became Uruguayans
Ditto Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Chile, Bolivia, Mexico, South Africa etc etc
All over the world European people have chosen not to be British, Spanish, French, German but to adopt new Nationalities.
Its called self determination.
However, you seem amazed and confused by this and think that the Falkland Islanders havent got the same choice...
A bit thick aren't you
But how can any group of people NOT want to be part of Cristina's inflation ridden , Campora run , corrupt , inefficient , Marxist narco state ?
Feb 11th, 2014 - 09:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0The Kingdom of Kretina , where former guerrillas who took part in an armed uprising against a democratically elected govt get an ARG$6000 monthly stipend , but pensioners get less than half that ?
Where the vice president is up on corruption charges ?
Where Cristina's wealth has increased a thousand fold in 10 years ?
Parts of the capital go without water and electricity for weeks....
Trains crash due to lack of maintenance and investment ...
I could go on .
Sorry , Marcos , but you can't blame them .
#9 We didn't vote to be British, we voted to remain an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. There is a subtle but distinct difference. Though perhaps it is not in your interest to try to understand it.
Feb 11th, 2014 - 10:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0As and OT we have the right to collectively choose our political status, including the right to become independent. Very distinct position from that which Argentina chooses to try to assert, which is to colonise and control.
@9 Slight problem. Neither the age of the article, who wrote it nor where they reside is of any relevance. What IS important is what the Secretary General of the United Nations said. But that doesn't suit you, does it?
Feb 11th, 2014 - 11:16 am - Link - Report abuse 0@9 also quoted in MercoPress Monday November 12th 2012
Feb 11th, 2014 - 12:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://en.mercopress.com/2012/11/12/ban-ki-moon-and-colonialism-people-should-be-able-to-decide-their-own-future
'I don't think Security Council Members are violating 'relevant' UN resolutions.'
He said this because you do not have bi-lateral talks when the Falkland Islanders DO have the right to self-determination.
Perhaps this is why some Argentine websites dress Ban Ki-Moon up as a pirate.
“Its called self determination.”
Feb 11th, 2014 - 12:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And it only applies in certain situations.
Otherwise you might end up with the Islamic republic of west London appearing overnight. Hey its their democratic vote isn't it.
Why do you take any subject to the absurd?
Feb 11th, 2014 - 01:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You are a silly fool.
@17. Another perfect example of a racist Malvanazi.
Feb 11th, 2014 - 01:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@17
Feb 11th, 2014 - 01:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0and what situations are those?
@17. 'The Court would recall that in 1971 it was emphasised that the current developments in 'international law' in regard to non-self-govering territories made the principle of self-determination applicable to all such territories.' Page 172, Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in Occupied Palestinian Territory, ICJ Advisory Opinion of 9 July 2004.
Feb 11th, 2014 - 03:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Waiting for the photo in the cemetaries, with the uruguayans, with the brit gobernor, with the penguins, with the militars, in hospital, in the school, well more polititians visits, more “speakings”, and what more???
Feb 11th, 2014 - 03:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@22 malen
Feb 11th, 2014 - 04:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Perhaps they'll take them on a tour of the minefields placed by Argentina in breach of international law. Perhaps they'll also show them the school were Argentine forces booby trapped the children's desks with high explosives in the hopes of murdering children.
Perhaps they'll show them where the Argentine forces hid artillery and other ordinance under the Red Cross in breach of international law.
Then they'll show them the cemetery where there are too many Argentine graves that state: 'Argentine soldier. Known only to God.' because the Argentine officers and NCO's refused to identify them.
And then they'll know exactly who Argentines are, and how they treat people, and why Argentina should never be allowed anywhere near the Islands again.
@22
Feb 11th, 2014 - 04:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Trying to make political capital out of military cemeteries?
Some of those young argentines whose lives were cut short!particularly the pilots were pretty gutsy guys.
The cause they were fighting for is immaterial but they died in service of their country and should be and are honoured by both sides for their courage. I recall that when an Argentine submariner from the ARA Santa Fe was killed at South Georgia he was given a full military funeral as is correct.
The press at the time tried to use the event for political purposes too
Not much changes from BA, does it?
Bit light on the argie trolls!
Feb 11th, 2014 - 06:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I can’t believe Lunatic/A_Voice isn’t on here to claim he has a house on the Falklands together with a trout stream running at the bottom of his garden whilst all the time protesting his house in Scotland doesn’t make him Scottish!
25
Feb 11th, 2014 - 06:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Outsiders are not allowed to purchase and own a house on the Falklands....
I can buy a house almost anywhere....but not there...
...and you being British and the Falklands being a British Overseas Territory....cannot either....yet the British taxpayer pays for the Falklands to the tune of £92,000 per household per annum...Funny huh!
BTW...it's Yard over there...not garden..a garden is a part of the yard where flowers and maybe veg or vines are...
Of course you wouldn't know that until it was explained...as it was to me...
Voicey has a burn next to his wee house at Dunnon. At this time of year it's full of kelts which are salmon(d) which have spawned thier eggs and may get back to the sea if they survive
Feb 11th, 2014 - 06:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 020 - dont ask me. Ask the US or the EU or the UN.
Feb 11th, 2014 - 06:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0none of them recognized that sham referendum stunt.
21 - take it to the UN. Maybe you'll win a prize.
@28 Lol
Feb 11th, 2014 - 06:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Sooner or later the talking will stop,
Feb 11th, 2014 - 07:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0CFK is just biding her time,
until she can get that elusive victory..
@22 Keep watching. You may see pictures of argie bodies being dug up, thrown on carts, dragged down to temporary jetties, picked up by grabs on cranes, dropped into cargo containers. Slight delay while the bulldozers bring the arms, legs, heads that have dropped off en route. Get dropped in as well. Then the good bit. The compaction. The squishing. And then it's off to argie territorial waters. Simple choice for argieland. Accept your detritus or it'll be taken down to the Southern Ocean and squirted overboard.
Feb 11th, 2014 - 07:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@26 Who'd want YOU in their country? Want to abandon your cowardice so that many more countries can exclude you.
@28 Could you provide us with a list of countries that issued public statements stating that they did not recognise the Falklands referendum? This may come as a surprise to you but, in the field of international law, ALL countries accept the appropriate actions of other countries unless the contrary is specifically stated or announced. Meanwhile, as a sovereign United Kingdom citizen, I don't recognise the last rigged, sham election in argieland. As far as I'm concerned, argieland doesn't exist as a lawful country. I will not accept anything it produces. I will demand that my country cease aid contributions to a non-existent place. I will make the case that the United Kingdom should not accept diplomatic representatives from a non-existent state. The ones that, at present are here illegally and under false pretences, should be kicked out. And I use the phrase “kicked out” advisedly. A steel-capped boot up the arse to speed them on their way. We need to get rid of the last vestige of latam criminality in our country. And difficulties? Kill them!
Vestige says:
Feb 11th, 2014 - 07:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“dont ask me. Ask the US or the EU or the UN.
none of them recognized that sham referendum stunt.”
And yet all three of those recognise British sovereignty.
......And none of them recognize an independent country.
Feb 11th, 2014 - 07:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0(11) Watson
Feb 11th, 2014 - 08:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You say....:
“Well one reason was to refute the lie that Argentina has perpetrated that we would be Argentine if we were given the choice.”
I say...:
You remind me of the folks of one of your best shearers (a leftie of course) on their first visit to their son living in BUE...... They were really worried about being arrested..... Specially his mom...... She got wiser.....
Do YOU really believe what you wrote above?
I mean..... “Really” believe it”?
32
Feb 11th, 2014 - 08:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0......“And yet all three of those recognise British sovereignty.”
“The European Union and the US say they recognize the ”de facto UK administration of the Falklands/Malvinas“, but take no position regarding the issue of sovereignty, which they say must be settled by the UK and Argentina.”
(35) A_Voice
Feb 11th, 2014 - 08:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0When I do correct one of the ignorant turnips in here, as you just did with Mr. Anglolatino, I normally get three (3) standart responses...:
1) You are splitting hairs...
2) You are clutching at straws...
3) You are scraping the bottom of the barrel...
Let's see which one you get......
A_Voice
Feb 11th, 2014 - 08:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Don’t really understand what you mean by a “sham” referendum. The elected government of the Falklands asked their electorate a simple straightforward question. The process was free and fair. There was no coercion. I think we can assume that the result was a fair and accurate representation of the populations view pint. Where exactly is the sham?
As for recognition from the UN, they don’t need it. The Falklands is the oldest democracy in South America. They have lived under the rule of law for 180 years. The democratically elected government of the Falkland Islands are perfectly entitled to call a referendum on whatever question they like. They don’t need permission from anyone. The result stands as the true reflection of the Falkland Islanders. It’s recognition by anyone is not required.
It's simply perverse of Argentina to think they can forcibly coerce 3,000 free people into becoming a part of a foreign and alien country and then claim the same 3,000 people have no right to even express a view on the subject. Isn't that called colonialism?
@36 usually think it's all three at once
Feb 11th, 2014 - 10:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0(38) redp0ll
Feb 11th, 2014 - 10:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Your standart responses are slightly different my dear insufferable English Rancher in Uruguay...:
1) You are splitting hares...
2) Atucha is melting dooooooown, We are all going to dieeeeeeeeeee...
3) Mr. Think making snide attacks on my family by remembering what I told him about it.
@39 what the hell has Atucha got to do with this blog?
Feb 11th, 2014 - 11:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Think
Feb 11th, 2014 - 11:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You're bitter and twisted AND you're splitting hairs, clutching at straws and scraping the bottom of the barrel.
We're still here old man; get used to it and try not to pass your bitter and twisted views onto your grand kids if you have any.
I'm very much looking forward to further meetings during the week with our visitors. Today was most useful and we agreed more areas on which to build during the rest of the week.
It's a busy time for us down here with another flying r*^*^ visit next week.
Splitting heirs btw everyone.
Feb 11th, 2014 - 11:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The saying is something to do with English inheritance law and family trees. iirc.
Joe,
Feb 12th, 2014 - 12:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0Thinks attitude to the Falklands reminds me of Oscar Wildes definition of fox hunting
“ The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable”
Just about sums him up
I wonder if Mr. Swire read the Sunday Times article “Inside the City: Over a barrel on Falklands”
Feb 12th, 2014 - 04:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0Danny Forston Published: 9 February 2014
“The Falkland Islands oil dream is about to end in nightmare”
@44. Silly comments made above at 9. Lol.
Feb 12th, 2014 - 04:52 am - Link - Report abuse 045 Brit Bob
Feb 12th, 2014 - 05:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0Keep reading Lorton old articles, I rather read the Sunday Times
“Inside the City: Over a barrel on Falklands”
Danny Forston Published: 9 February 2014
“The Falkland Islands oil dream is about to end in nightmare”
@26 A_V
Feb 12th, 2014 - 09:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0“and you being British and the Falklands being a British Overseas Territory....cannot either....yet the British taxpayer pays for the Falklands to the tune of £92,000 per household per annum...Funny huh!”
A cost that wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Argentine aggression.
@34 Think
I never said it was the main reason but yes I do belive it would be a factor, do you believe that this lie has never come out of Argentina?
#26 47
Feb 12th, 2014 - 12:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I'm sure this has been debated/mentioned before but it isn't really fair to leverage the entire cost of defending the Falklands Islands on the islanders. The main costs come from resources that could, if necessary, be deployed elsewhere and therefore form part of the overall defence spending.
Of course, it is a shame that we (the British taxpayer) had to build a base and deploy a significant fraction of our defence assets of the Falklands. All because of a thieving wannabe colonialist empire insisted on causing the deaths of hundreds of men to distract their population from their economic and social problems. Unfortunately this attitude remains to this day, and we know that without the garrison Argentina may again try something stupid.
Money is irrelevant when you are defending against an aggressor
Feb 12th, 2014 - 01:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And Argentina IS an aggressor...
@46 I never knew R.L. he worked for the MercoPress because the MercoPress quoted Ban Ki-Moon making the same comments.
Feb 12th, 2014 - 03:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Marcos Alejandro
Feb 12th, 2014 - 03:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Mr. Swire
“The people of the Falkland Islands are British because they have chosen to be so”
Why ask British people if they want to be British?”
Can you please explain why it is that walking through the streets of Roma and Milano, of Madrid and Barcelona, of Paris and London one hears groups of so many European(?) passport holders, thus citizens, speaking Spanish together with a distinct Argentine accent? Is it possible they are both Europeans AND Argentinos? Just like the Falkland Islanders can be British as well - right?
@48 inthegutter
Feb 12th, 2014 - 04:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Yes you are right, some of the cost would have to be covered whever they were in the world. We got into a discussion about how much of the budget whould have to be covered whether they were in the Falklands, the UK or deployed elsewhere in another thread a few weeks ago so I thought I wouldn't bother getting into that again.
(47) Watson
Feb 12th, 2014 - 06:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 01) I never said that you said it was the main reason...
2) Argentina, as every Country in the world has its share of Turnips so, it is plain impossible for me to say that...: “Such a lie has never come out of Argentina.”
But that's a faaaaar cry from saying as you do that ...: ”Argentina has perpetrated the lie that the Kelpers would be Argentine if they were given the choice.”
Vestige
Feb 12th, 2014 - 08:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Self-determination applies to ALL non-self governing territories. That is the position of the UNGA in 2013, and shown clearly by a vote in 2008.
The “certain circumstances” you prescribe may include territorial integrity.
To argue that an island group 300 miles from the mainland (and 1000 miles from the UP in 1833) is integral...probably stretches the imagination!
So, using your analogy however, let's say that current British Muslims were to populate Rockal and build and buy houses, and then decide they wanted independence....why not?
If the people of Jersey wanted independence or to join France...why not?
I think it highly unlikely your scenario would work however, that you could get a population of sufficient size “integral” within a country that could claim Independence...
However, the fact remains...self determination applies to all NSGTs...including the Falklands...and they determine to be a BOT, and so thats what they are.
(43) redp0ll
Feb 12th, 2014 - 08:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You say….:
“Thinks attitude to the Falklands reminds me of Oscar Wilde’s definition of fox hunting
“The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable” “
I say…:
Time to split some more English hares…
Are you maybe referring to Mr. Oscar Wilde’s portrayal of the English Country Gentleman galloping after a fox as “the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable.” ?
Are you maybe inferring that I remind you of an English Country Gentleman ?
Such a weighty insult had to be reported to the editor…
Expect him to ring at your door any minute…
@55 report it then Herr Denkmal. Would be delighted to receive him in my humble rancho and crack a Pilsen or two with him.
Feb 12th, 2014 - 09:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0PS you aren't invited!
@9 Marcos
Feb 13th, 2014 - 09:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0“Why ask British people if they want to be British?”
The British Government did not ask the Islanders if they wanted to be British, the FIG did.
There was an option to vote no.
The British government are allowing the Scots if they want to remain British-Argentina being a wannabe Nazi state doesn't give people a choice.
@17 Vestige
“Otherwise you might end up with the Islamic republic of west London appearing overnight. Hey its their democratic vote isn't it.”
Islamists have the right to put up a candidate for London mayor-however there is not a demographic majority of Islamists in West London, so your dream of an Islamist nation in London is not entirely realistic.
@22 Malen
“Waiting for the photo in the cemetaries, with the uruguayans, with the brit gobernor, with the penguins, with the militars, in hospital, in the school, well more polititians visits, more “speakings”, and what more???”
@28 Vestige
“none of them recognized that sham referendum stunt.”
I don't remember the UN passing a UN General resolution condemning it?
I hope you enjoy the photos, I will.
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