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“Falklands people voice must be heard”, says Uruguayan former president visiting the Islands

Friday, February 26th 2016 - 01:36 UTC
Full article 53 comments

Luis Alberto Lacalle, the Ex-President of Uruguay, is currently in the Falkland Islands on a week-long tour, along with Uruguayan Elected Representative Mario Jaime Trobo. Lacalle served as President from 1990 to 1995 and Trobo is presently a Member of the International Affairs Committee. Read full article

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  • Voice

    Sounds like free holidays might pay dividends....

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 01:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marti Llazo

    Sounds like some of the neighbours are more sensible than the argentos.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 02:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Skip

    Called soft power Voice.

    Can sometimes be more successful than hard power.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 02:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marti Llazo

    “Hard power” - or maybe noisy and abusive bluster.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 03:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Roger Lorton

    Uruguay has always had civil relations with the Islanders - for all the supposed support they give to Argentina's spurious claim (also known as lip-service).

    I seem to recall that Uruguay was the last country to maintain a consulate in Stanley, having been amongst the first there too. There are well established business relations between the Islands and Montevideo. Which appear likely to get stronger.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 04:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CapiTrollism_is_back!!

    @2 and 5

    Hate to break the news to both of you, but Lacalle is a former president and has absolutely no official authority to conduct any business on behalf of Uruguay. Thus this visit is from a diplomatic standpoint meaningless.

    If there is any “soft power” behind it, then the people behind the soft power are as dumb as sawdust. :)

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 05:16 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Skip

    Hate to break it to you but not all countries have ex-presidents like Argentina.

    Trobo is a currently elected representative. However don't you espouse some meme or theory that states don't deal or speak to sub-state entities..... oops.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 05:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • zathras

    It is worth noting the C24 document for the 2016 session includes this:

    the General Assembly...
    requested the Special Committee to continue to
    seek suitable means for the immediate and full implementation of the Declaration, and in particular...
    To continue to examine the political, economic and social situation in the
    Non-Self-Governing Territories, and to recommend, as appropriate, to the General Assembly the most suitable steps to be taken to enable the populations of those Territories to exercise their right to self-determination, including independence, in accordance with the relevant resolutions on decolonization, including resolutions on specific Territories.

    So note no use of the word people, simply the population who live on theses islands have the fundamental right to self determination, so says the UN General Assembly.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 08:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • The Voice

    Oh dear! This news is giving VoiceofThink sleepless nights. Unless of course he is currently in his hovel in Trout Run?

    Nostril, former Presidents have influence, its clear Uruguay wants closer links.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 09:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CapiTrollism_is_back!!

    @7

    At least Argentina does not, nor should it. Other countries can do as they please, but Buenos Aires policy is only nations recognized as independent states should have the luxury of bilateral contact. All other “subs” need to deal with attachees.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 09:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jo Bloggs

    10

    So what you're saying is that there is no LatAm solidarity over the issue of the Falkland Islands.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 09:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • zathras

    Also in the same document the the General Assembly states that the C24 should:

    ...continue to dispatch visiting and special missions to
    the Non-Self-Governing Territories in accordance with the relevant resolutions on decolonization, including resolutions on specific Territories.

    Now both the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar have asked the C24 when they are going to make an official visit.

    As the C24 has failed to visit I think it is time both Gib and FI tell the C24 that as they are failing to do their job properly and thus they are removing themselves from the C24 listing.
    If any outside party objects then refer them to the ICJ.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 09:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Lord Lucan

    “Falklands peoples VOICE must be heard?”

    Sorry #1 I don't think that means you. You are the VOICE of the dark side. :-)))

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 09:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • SebaSvtz

    I was expecting Macri to move in that direction too, but I set my goals to high it seems.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 10:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GALlamosa

    The Falklands voice must be heard........self determination.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 11:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    Uruguay have a major problem with the Falklands, or at least the commie bastards of The Broad Fraud do. TMBOA boxed them into aligning with her and seem unable to shake off the poison she poured into their ears.

    Only to be expected of course given the dumb-fuck nature of the beast that 'rules' us.

    Perhaps things will change at the next election, I do hope so.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 11:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • downunder

    “the Falkland’s “voice must be heard”.

    Not just heard, when it comes to their future - it must be adhered to.

    ”Lacalle stated that his experience of the Legislative Assembly was “government at its best”
    Hmmmm 'Government' - this would be the government that Argentina should be dealing with, but refuses to.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 01:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • sceptic64

    #12: re: C24 visits:

    Gibraltar submitted its new constitution to the C24 in 2006 and has asked, every year, for the C24 to inform us a/ whether it meets the requirements for de-listing, and b/ if not, to tell us where it does not.

    They have never answered.

    Gibraltar has also asked the C24 to visit. In fact, last year, the chairman was offered open-ended plane tickets for the trip (grandstanding admittedly). His response?

    “You know I won't be taking you up on that offer”

    This was in response to the disclosure that he had held a PRIVATE MEETING with the Spanish Foreign Minister prior to the annual C24 meeting. A minister of a hostile country who has no role to play in Gibraltar's status re: the C24.

    It's scandalous and highlights what an embarassment this committee is.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 03:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Liberato

    #18: There is more than one form of colonialism. One, cover the case where a subjugated people wants to be selfdetermined. Another one is when a colonial power colonize inside somebody elses territory implanting its own citizens and controlling strictly the inmigration as to mantain the origin of the population like in their Metropolis.
    Malvinas and Gibraltar are two territories under a sovereignty dispute recognized by the UN. Which means the UN do not recognize sovereignty to either side. Ergo, UN c24 would not go to Gibraltar as if the place were british sovereign territory.
    Nevertheles, UN c24 have visited other british colonies around the world when it was appropiate so dont worry about that.
    So this Gibraltar submitted and asked the c24...., is bulshit and a cheap try to be recognized as a selfdetermined people by the UN c24.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 04:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Buzzsaw

    @19...So why are these territories on the C24 list? If they are on the list as a NSGT then, ergo, they are entitled to Self Determination and all that entails within the C24 and have the ability to be taken off the list if they fulfill the necessary criteria. Your argument does not hold water.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 04:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anbar

    “””If there is any “soft power” behind it, then the people behind the soft power are as dumb as sawdust. :)“”“

    so, a bit like those hollywood 'stars' TMBOA liked to roll out, or el-Pope-on-a-rope-a-dope..

    oops, sorry, forgot: the pope represents a big beardy white man who lives above the clouds

    my bad.

    ”“”“#18: There is more than one form of colonialism. One, cover the case where a subjugated people wants to be selfdetermined. Another one is when a colonial power colonize inside somebody elses territory implanting its own citizens and controlling strictly the inmigration as to mantain the origin of the population like in their Metropolis. ”“”

    So, Patagonia then?

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 06:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Uruguay
    good on you,

    mind you, some say they hear wailing outside the Uruguayan embassy at night,
    some say, its CFK crying in her sleep.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 07:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marti Llazo

    So when is Argentina going to de-colonise Tierra del Fuego, remove their implanted population, and return the islands to the original indigenous inhabitants?

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 07:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Total starts production at Argentine Tierra del Fuego offshore gas field
    French oil company

    perhaps the argies think there is profit in them gas fields.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 08:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    @19
    “Ergo, UN c24 would not go to Gibraltar as if the place were british sovereign territory. ”

    If the c24 are going AGAINST their stated criteria and their reason for being, give me one reason why the UK should listen to them.

    They are not credible. They are bullshitters.

    So read @8 zathras

    “the General Assembly...
    requested the Special Committee to continue to
    seek suitable means for the immediate and full implementation of the Declaration, and in particular...
    To continue to examine the political, economic and social situation in the
    Non-Self-Governing Territories, and to recommend, as appropriate, to the General Assembly the most suitable steps to be taken to enable the populations of those Territories to exercise their right to self-determination, including independence, in accordance with the relevant resolutions on decolonization, including resolutions on specific Territories.”

    Again if the C24 take no notice of the General Assembly of the UN, why should Britain take note of anything the C24 says?

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 09:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • downunder

    troll#19#

    Oh, I get it! It's like:“Oils, ain’t oils, Sol”

    There are normal colony’s and then there are the ones that fall within the imaginary boundary of a future Argentine empire.

    The argument is always so perfectly clear when it is put by an Argentine troll.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 10:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Skip

    “Malvinas and Gibraltar are two territories under a sovereignty dispute recognized by the UN. Which means the UN do not recognize sovereignty to either side.”

    Patently untrue.

    Recognition of a sovereignty dispute is nothing more that recognition of a sovereignty dispute.

    The UK recognises there is are sovereignty disputes but that is just recognition of the existence of these claims. Nothing more. Using Liberato's logic, the UK must recognise it doesn't have sovereignty.

    Which it has clearly stated hundreds if not thousands of time that is does have full sovereignty over these territories.

    The UN recognises UK sovereignty over Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands because it is being told to 'decolonise' them. Colonisation by its very definition means the territory does not have its own sovereignty.

    It's a logical fallacy that recognising a dispute gives credence to that dispute.

    I recognise Liberato's is an ineffectual idiot.... doesn't make me one.

    Feb 26th, 2016 - 11:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    In 'Real Politik', this is all just hot air and bluster.
    What can Argentina, or Spain, actually DO about this?

    Feb 27th, 2016 - 02:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • georgeneurus

    Comment removed by the editor.

    Feb 27th, 2016 - 07:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • downunder

    28# What can Argentina, or Spain, actually DO about this?

    Nothing that they haven't already tried, they are being mugged by reality.

    And that's what really pisses them off!

    Feb 27th, 2016 - 08:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • georgeneurus

    us?? nothing downunder,m unga is then one.........

    Feb 27th, 2016 - 09:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Islander1

    29 George-upanus.
    If the UN is so important to you - WHY did your country ignore a Binding Resolution from the UN Security Council then - 504 - in April 1982?
    These Resolutions - as you must know - carry a lot more International weight than whatever the UNGA can “recommend”
    Arentines really are fussy - about which bits of history and which bits of International Law they choose to abide by!

    Feb 27th, 2016 - 09:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • golfcronie

    @32
    Funnily enough I have a friend who knows ALL the rules of golf as long as they don't apply to him.

    Feb 27th, 2016 - 04:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Considering that Argentina itself was stolen from the indigenous inhabitants,
    the likes of georgeneurus has no leg to stand on.

    Feb 27th, 2016 - 07:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    The UK will return the Malvinas within 25 years.

    Feb 28th, 2016 - 12:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marti Llazo

    Hepathetic, I think this Malvinas thing is in northern Argentina, no? Do what you wish, just don't vex the neighbours over in the Falkland Islands.

    Feb 28th, 2016 - 12:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LukeDig

    Funny thing about “self determination” is that Diego García islanders, the Chagossians, didn´t get any. All they got was crimes against their humanity, their pets gassed to death.
    Secondly, you´ve got some guts to talk about indigenous inhabitants, considering opium trade, slavery, racism, and utter extermination of indigenous people.
    The spaniards married and had children with indigenous inhabitants, your ancestors merely exterminated them to the last one, then proceeded to bring half Africa as slaves. Have some shame at least, instead of using such dumbfolded arguments.

    Feb 28th, 2016 - 07:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • downunder

    37# ”The spaniards married and had children with indigenous inhabitants,...

    And look what the results of that spawned!!

    Pot, kettle, black.

    Feb 29th, 2016 - 09:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • hughbrain

    Nobody gives sh*te for what this ultra old guy says.
    The important thing here is what the current govt of the Germans republics del Uruguay opines.
    And that is a complete support on the Argentinian position.
    Got it?????

    Feb 29th, 2016 - 12:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Buzzsaw

    @37 So Deigo Garcia is used by Malvanistas as a shining example of how UK politicians in the 60's and 70's shat on the population of that Island. You are quite right, it was a terrible and tragic thing to do. The only problem you have is that we are now in 2016, we learn from our mistakes, they are, at this time, investigating whether it is possible for the population to return and be self sustainable.

    You on the other hand would like the UK to not allow the Falkland Islanders their self determination and by inference, you support what happened to the Chagos population in the 60's. The UK has patently moved on, Argentina on the other hand still wants to colonise. Congratulations.

    ....'Secondly, you´ve got some guts to talk about indigenous inhabitants, considering opium trade, slavery, racism, and utter extermination of indigenous people.
    The spaniards married and had children with indigenous inhabitants, your ancestors merely exterminated them to the last one, then proceeded to bring half Africa as slaves.....”

    So the Spanish empire never killed any indigenous people, were not involved in slavery, never raped, murdered and stole. Seems like you need to take your rose tinted spectacles of in regard to the Spanish Empire. You do know that the Africans, Dutch and Arabs were some of the worst perpetrators of the slave trade don't you. But lets just blame the British.

    Oh and they weren't my ancestors, we all stayed in the British Isles and Ireland, they were your ancestors and forefathers that raped, pillaged and stole from the indigenous peoples, not mine.

    Feb 29th, 2016 - 12:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    @37

    “Funny thing about “self determination” is that Diego García islanders, the Chagossians, didn´t get any.”

    So are you a member of the Chagos support group then? Are you doing something to get some of the Islanders back or are you sitting on your ringpiece doing jack squit?

    This aims to get the Chagos Islanders who want to go back, returned and the Government feasibility study to do that is happening now.

    Also, in the 1960s the British Government tried to sell the Falkland Islanders down the river and cancelled TSR2, P1154, HS 681 and Blue Streak, all acts of supreme folly and stupidity.

    Now the British Government are talking positive action to resettle Chagossians, so is your point that the British Government should not, due to a wrongdoing in the past?

    “The spaniards married and had children with indigenous inhabitants”

    They also murdered a lot of them-the Spanish were far worse than the British-why do you think most Spanish colonies threw the Spanish out?

    Most British possessions were returned peacefully to the local inhabitants-that's why there is a huge British Commonwealth and no Spanish Commonwealth.

    “your ancestors merely exterminated them to the last one,”

    Absolute rubbish-one of the reasons that Britain got chucked out of the USA is that Britain wanted to keep vast areas of lands for the Native Indians.

    “Secondly, you´ve got some guts to talk about indigenous inhabitants”

    It is a fact that Argentina murdered thousands of local people regardless of what the British did-you cannot sweep this under the carpet.

    Perhaps you would like to outline which indigenous people the Falkland Islanders exterminated?

    Mar 01st, 2016 - 12:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    37
    you do talk tommy rot.

    Mar 01st, 2016 - 07:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LEPRecon

    @37 LukeDig

    1stly the Spanish didn't 'marry' and have children with the natives. They raped the native women and forced them to have their children.

    This was after murdering most of the male natives.

    Als0, please remind us what happened to all the African people who were once enslaved in Argentina?

    I mean at one time there were about as many black Africans held as slaves in Argentina as there were in Brazil.

    Now if you look at the demographic of Brazil about 50% of the population is descended from those Africans.

    But if you look at the demographic of Argentina it was like those Africans never even existed.

    Why is that LukeDig? Where did all the black people go?

    Well we all know the answer to that, no matter how much you try to 'whitewash' (pun intended) Argentina's history. The black people were murdered rather than allowed to be free.

    http://www.ibtimes.com/blackout-how-argentina-eliminated-africans-its-history-conscience-1289381

    Tut, tut. Didn't anyone tell you that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones?

    Now lets move onto the genocide Argentina committed against the native peoples of South America. Wiping out entire communities, and then raping the women (just to be on the safe side), forcing the catholic religion on them, destroying their culture, stealing their lands.

    Now lets look at modern day Argentina. Wiping out entire communities, forcing the catholic religion on them, destroying what's left of their culture, stealing what little land they had been allowed to keep, employing economic policies on them that makes them starve to death. Literally starve to death.

    And you have the cheek to criticise the UK's past? Especially when your present is far worse than the UK's past.

    You can continue to live in denial, but one day Argentina will be held to account for its crimes against the native peoples of South America.

    Mar 02nd, 2016 - 04:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marti Llazo

    As we say here:

    Los mexicanos descendieron de los aztecas
    Los peruanos descendieron de los incas
    Los argentinos descendieron de los barcos

    Or you could say

    Mexicans descended from the Aztecs
    Peruvians descended from the Incas
    Argentines descended from boats

    Mar 02nd, 2016 - 08:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    @43
    “And you have the cheek to criticise the UK's past? Especially when your present is far worse than the UK's past.”

    Great point amongst many.

    Mar 02nd, 2016 - 11:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #37
    Read the history of Spain and Portugal in their colonisation of Central and South America. Pizzaro in Peru ? He took over the country peaceably with the blessings of the indigenous population ?
    A somewhat biased account of world history in which Britain bad, Latam snow white - pun intended - after they had slaughtered the local populations.
    I cannot help but think that Latams are congenital liars as this forum continually reinforces that truism.

    Mar 03rd, 2016 - 10:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LukeDig

    Funny, you english types, always pushing the conversation towards “the Spaniards are big bad genocides”, while not pointing out not even one of the many shats from your past.
    BTW, since someone said that the Brits were so good people with the aboriginals they even wanted them to have some land, and that was one of the reasons USA went for independence, same thing happened down here.
    As about the rest of the lies, they are complete misinformation, Argentina is not 97% white, travel to the interior, everyone is brown.
    Only places where people are mostly white are the big cities, Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Santa Fe, because inmigrants never got their lands granted, they ended up making a urban living instead of having farms.

    I can find, however, more modern examples of British love for self determination. Like Chagos, and I know, I know your government is “studying” the “viability” of giving people they own freaking land back. Beats me.

    Mar 03rd, 2016 - 11:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #47
    Why do you suppose we are pointing out the history of Latam “settlers” and colonialist. This is what YOU continually do against the British with a “holier than thou” bullshit attitude. We realise that you don't like us, verging on the edge of hatred. I for a start could not care less. You don't figure on our radar so moan away. It's all you can do.

    Mar 03rd, 2016 - 01:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marti Llazo

    @47 “ Only places where people are mostly white are the big cities, Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Santa Fe, because inmigrants never got their lands granted, they ended up making a urban living instead of having farms.”

    Someone who has never observed the landscape in Argentina and knows nothing of its history.

    Mar 03rd, 2016 - 01:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    And the Falkland's are still British

    Mar 03rd, 2016 - 08:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    @47Lukedig
    “Funny, you english types, always pushing the conversation towards “the Spaniards are big bad genocides”, while not pointing out not even one of the many shats from your past.”

    If it makes you happy we English are quite aware that our past has not been whiter than white and that the ex British empire committed many wrongs IN THE PAST which is where you are stuck.

    The wrongs committed by Britain do NOT excuse the Spanish Empire of behaving much worse or the Argentines when they massacred Amerindians in the 19th century.

    However, you still cannot say that in the last century that Britain murdered
    30 000 of it's own people-Argentina did!

    So whilst Britain's past has not always resulted in exemplary behaviour, Argentina under CFK wished to copy the worse colonial excesses of the ex-British empire.

    By denying self determination and democracy for the Falkland Islanders,
    a modern, post colonial right, Argentina base themselves in the 19th century, a pointless stance that Macri little by little appears to be abandoning.

    “ I know, I know your government is “studying” the “viability” of giving people they own freaking land back”

    It's not quite as simple as that but you only bring up Chagos-so are the Bermudans, Antiguans, Pitcairn Islanders, Tristan Da Cunhans, Saint Helenians, etc etc denied self determination?

    Was Scotland denied self determination?

    Your mates Spain have denied the Catalonians the right to self determination, so as you criticise the UK, we can carry on hammering Argentina and it's parent country Spain all day to counter your feeble arguments.

    Mar 05th, 2016 - 12:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Agreed.

    Mar 05th, 2016 - 07:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • downunder

    47# “Only places where people are mostly white are the big cities, Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Santa Fe, because ............”

    Because darkies aren't allowed on the bus in the big cities!

    Mar 06th, 2016 - 01:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0

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