MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falkland Islanders right to self determination reaffirmed by Minister Swire
Minister Swire impressed by the development and achievements of the Falklands Foreign Office minister for Latin America Hugo Swire MP, who recently visited the Falklands, sent a letter to Falkland Islanders thanking the warm reception and congratulating them on their strong sense of identity and community. The letter was published in this Friday's edition of the Penguin News.
Dear Falkland Islanders:
I would like to thank you all for the warm reception you gave me during my recent visit to the Falklands.
I felt extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to visit your beautiful Islands and can honestly say that my high expectations were more than met. There can be no substitute for coming to the Islands to appreciate their unique charm at first hand and to understand your strong sense of identity and community.
The British Government will continue to do all we can to protect this. My visit reaffirmed my long standing belief in the right of you, the Islanders, to self-determination, a principle to which the UK will be demonstrating its commitment again in Scotland later this year.
Though there are undoubtedly significant challenges ahead, you can take huge credit and pride in the substantial achievements the Falklands have made, in building a prosperous and sustainable community. I was very impressed by the efforts you have made to develop world class industries and exports.
The British Government will continue to support your endeavors to further develop your economy, in tourism, fisheries and, of course, hydrocarbons exploration.
Thank you once again for such an excellent and memorable visit.
The Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP
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Read all commentsThank you Minister. It was good to speak with you during your visit. We are truly very proud to be British.
Mar 14th, 2014 - 10:17 am 01 Joe Bloggs
Mar 14th, 2014 - 01:00 pm 0You know what Joe? I bet that letter has just made him the most hated man in argentina. Still, no matter, he is only telling you what here in the UK knew already.
Those idiots in argentina obviously haven't read the script and still think that their opinion counts for something in this matter. Everyone else that matters already knows that you are a “people” and of course you have the right to self determination.
TMBOA and her cronies are just slow learners, that's all.
Hugo Swire, you are such a hypocrite. I actually believe in the right of the Falklanders to self-determination but you have no shame in continuing to deny the same right to the Chagos Islanders, whom you expelled from their lands to make way for a US air base. But, being an upper class Englander, no doubt the 'kith and kin' argument does not apply to them. It's pathetic and no wonder that the Argies see us as duplicitous, which we are.
Mar 14th, 2014 - 04:14 pm 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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