The Canadian government said on Wednesday that the results of the Falkland Islands referendum are “very clear” and “only” the people of the Islands are entitled to decide on their future. However the European Commission refused to get involved in the discussion arguing it is an “internal affair” of an EU member.
The Argentine Congress in extraordinary sessions held on Wednesday in both Houses unanimously rejected the Falkland Islands referendum in which the local population overwhelmingly decided to remain as a British Overseas Territory.
Argentine consumer prices rose 0.5% in February, the smallest gain since June 2009, after supermarkets and home appliance retailers agreed to freeze prices for sixty days, according to the government’s much questioned stats office, Indec.
Leaders across the world celebrated the election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as the new Pope, considering it a historical moment and a fact that makes the Church more universal than ever.
Argentine President Cristina Fernández will be attending the official ceremony installing Jorge Ramon Bergoglio as Francis I which is scheduled to take place next March 19. The announcement was made by the presidential office.
In choosing a name no other pope had ever taken, Pope Francis could be signalling that he sees the need for change in the Roman Catholic Church. The name recalls two of the church’s most famous saints.
Three firsts for the new Pope: Argentine, Jesuit and his election by fellow cardinals was announced by twitter. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is a theological conservative with a strong social conscience, and a modest man who declined the archbishop's luxurious residence to live in a simple apartment and travel by public transport.
“President Cristina Fernandez, we have sent you a message: we have absolutely no desire to be ruled by the Government in Buenos Aires and we hope that now you might respect that”, said the spokesperson for the Falklands’ elected government in the aftermath of the referendum which showed the Islanders almost unanimously (99.8% of ballots) want to remain a British Overseas Territory.
Following the resounding results from this weekend’s referendum Falkland Islands delegates will tour the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America to drum up support for their right to self-determination.
Argentine President Cristina Fernández rejected the referendum held at the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, and assured it was a parody likening to a “squatters’ condominium meeting” who illegally live in an occupied territory.