Falkland Islands

• Wednesday, March 13th 2013 - 03:58 UTC

  Falklands’ referendum to be condemned by Argentina’s congress two Houses

  

  The Argentine congress is holding on Wednesday an extraordinary session to strongly reject the resounding Falklands/Malvinas referendum in which the Islanders overwhelmingly voted to remain a British Overseas Territory. Two statements have been drafted and will be discussed simultaneously at the Lower House and the Senate.

• Wednesday, March 13th 2013 - 03:40 UTC

  Falklands: US formal position unchanged but describes the referendum as ‘democratic’

  

  The US State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday that Washington’s formal position regarding the Falklands/Malvinas despite the democratic referendum results, “has not changed: we recognize de facto UK administration of the Islands, but we take no position on sovereignty claims”.

• Wednesday, March 13th 2013 - 03:32 UTC

  Falkland Islands’ referendum results are the clearest possible; time for the world to respect Islanders decision

  

  UK Primer Minister David Cameron called on Argentina to respect the wishes of Falkland Islanders, who have overwhelmingly voted to stay as a British Overseas Territory and invited other countries across the world that are guided by self-determination to also respect and revere the very clear results.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2013 - 14:25 UTC

  Hague calls on all countries to accept results of Falklands’ referendum and support the Islanders

  

  All countries should accept the results of the Falklands’ referendum and support the Islanders as they continue to develop their home and their economy, said on Tuesday Foreign Secretary William Hague following on the overwhelming weekend vote to remain as a British Overseas Territory.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2013 - 07:50 UTC

  Clear message to Argentina: 99.8% of Falkland Islanders want to stay British

  

  Despite frequent snow showers and zero temperatures, the celebratory party had already started on Arch Green in the centre of Port Stanley as the result of the Falklands’ referendum was a foregone conclusion, but the loud cheer that went up from the assembled gathering could be heard all over the town as the news filtered through that only 3 persons had voted against the Falklands remaining a self-governing dependent territory of Great Britain.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2013 - 07:29 UTC

  Observation mission praises Falklanders on referendum process and their democratic will

  

  The International Observation Mission (RIOM) congratulated the Falklands for the ‘free and fair referendum process’ reflecting the democratic will of the Falkland Islanders voters, and for its execution in accordance with international standards and local laws.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2013 - 01:52 UTC

  Overwhelming turnout and YES vote in the Falklands referendum

  

  As was anticipated 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to maintain the current political status of the Islands as a British Overseas Territory, it was announced late Monday evening by the local electoral authorities.

• Monday, March 11th 2013 - 21:26 UTC

  Praise for Falklands’ population tolerance and criticism for Argentina’s approach

  

  ”I came to meet a peaceful population of sheep farmers and fishing people and they were not waiting for me to support them” but they have very strong and historic links with Uruguay, said lawmaker Jose Cardoso, who is currently in the Falklands to observe the referendum on the Islanders political status and future.

• Monday, March 11th 2013 - 20:25 UTC

  Uruguayan observer in Falklands’ referendum: “voting is a human right that supports freedom of expression”

  

  “Voting is a human right and electoral observation does not validate a thing, it is a simple act of analyzing if those conditions people have proposed for the ballot event, are fully complied” said Uruguayan lawmaker Jaime Trobo currently in the Falklands for the referendum on the Islands political status and future.

• Monday, March 11th 2013 - 18:35 UTC

  “The Falklands: a vote with no purpose”, says Ambassador Alicia Castro

  

  The following opinion column from Argentine ambassador Alicia Castro in UK was published Monday in The Guardian.