British relations in South America could falter if the UK Government refuses to hold talks on the Falkland Islands sovereignty with Argentina, the country’s ambassador to London said this week.
The Argentine Olympic Committee has responded for the first time to an advertisement on state-run TV that links a dispute with Britain about the Falklands/Malvinas Islands to the London Games.
President Cristina Fernández said in relation to the controversial Olympic/Malvinas advert that “creativity can’t be censored”, on the contrary it should be “applauded” because it reflects the feelings of the Argentines. The head of state also rejected lifting the spot as demanded by Britain and the Y&R agency in New York.
Hundreds of veterans and members of the public gathered on Sunday in Portsmouth and Sheffield to mark the 30 years since the Falkland Islands conflict.
The controversial Malvinas/Olympics advert promoted by the Argentine government ahead of the London Games not only has had negative reactions worldwide but has also triggered deep concern among members of the Argentine Olympic team.
Argentine athlete Fernando Zylberberg involved in the controversial Malvinas/Olympics advert which is being aired by the Argentine government, contrary to his original statements, has admitted he knew the spot filmed in the Falkland Islands would be used by the government.
Despite logistical issues in the early part of the season the Falkland Islands Meat Company, (FIMCo) completed a record breaking high season on April 27, with 47,200 sheep and lambs processed and over 540 tons of meat and offal produced, earning farmers more than £1million for their animals.
Argentine Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman replied to recent demands of an apology made by UK Defence Minister Phillip Hammond over a controversial Olympic advert shot in the Falkland Islands, and urged London to “honour the deaths of those who died in the 1982 conflict by constructing peace.”
The creative managing director of Young & Rubicam Buenos Aires said that is spite of the request from the central office in New York it can’t force the Argentine government to withdraw the controversial advert linking the Falklands/Malvinas claim with the coming Olympic Games in London.
Argentine state-run television aired the controversial advert on Sunday linking the London Olympics to a dispute with Britain over the Falkland Islands, opening itself to further criticism from the International Olympic Committee.