Dear Editor,
I was struck by the two articles about the Falkland Islands which appeared in the Sunday Observer on December 7, 2014 quoting Argentina's secretary for matters relating to the Falkland Islands, Daniel Filmus. I wanted to clarify a couple of points.
Firstly, it is not correct for Amabassador Filmus to say "the islanders want Argentina, not the other way around". The people of the Falkland Islands are British and wish to remain British, as clearly demonstrated by the 99.8 per cent "YES" vote in the March 2013 referendum.
The UK is clear about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and surrounding maritime areas, and about the Falkland Islanders' right to decide their own future, the right of self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Secondly, it is not correct to suggest that the United Kingdom has not acted in compliance with UN resolutions. The UK has administered the Falklands peacefully and effectively for 181 years. Some of the people on the islands can trace their Falklands ancestry back through nine generations, longer than the current borders of Argentina have existed.
Thirdly, there are three parties to this debate. There can be no negotiations on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands unless and until the Islanders themselves wish it.
The United Kingdom wants a full and friendly relationship with Argentina, as neighbours in the South Atlantic, and as responsible fellow members of the G20, but the rights of the Falkland Islands' people cannot be decided against their will or behind their backs.
David Fitton
British High Commissioner
Falkland Islanders are British
-->
I was struck by the two articles about the Falkland Islands which appeared in the Sunday Observer on December 7, 2014 quoting Argentina's secretary for matters relating to the Falkland Islands, Daniel Filmus. I wanted to clarify a couple of points.
Firstly, it is not correct for Amabassador Filmus to say "the islanders want Argentina, not the other way around". The people of the Falkland Islands are British and wish to remain British, as clearly demonstrated by the 99.8 per cent "YES" vote in the March 2013 referendum.
The UK is clear about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and surrounding maritime areas, and about the Falkland Islanders' right to decide their own future, the right of self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Secondly, it is not correct to suggest that the United Kingdom has not acted in compliance with UN resolutions. The UK has administered the Falklands peacefully and effectively for 181 years. Some of the people on the islands can trace their Falklands ancestry back through nine generations, longer than the current borders of Argentina have existed.
Thirdly, there are three parties to this debate. There can be no negotiations on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands unless and until the Islanders themselves wish it.
The United Kingdom wants a full and friendly relationship with Argentina, as neighbours in the South Atlantic, and as responsible fellow members of the G20, but the rights of the Falkland Islands' people cannot be decided against their will or behind their backs.
David Fitton
British High Commissioner
Falkland Islanders are British
-->