Falkland Islands Referendum Shows Diplomatic Closeness Towards UK

Falkland Islands Referendum Shows Diplomatic Closeness Towards UK

A referendum carried out last week in the Falkland Islands showed a massive support for the Island to remain in the United Kingdom. The vote seems to not be enough for the enthusiastic Islanders as they have also started a diplomatic offensive in the United States and the world to gather support for their cause.

The referendum results came in at a staggering 99.8 percent “yes” for remaining in the United Kingdom. Delegates from the Falklands would tour Latin American, the Caribbean and the U.S. to gather support and to show the importance of respecting a people’s right to self-determination.

Mike Summers a legislative assembly member of the Falkands will talk to US officials in New York where he will have a meeting at the United Nations.

The message he and other delegates will try to deliver is that the issue is not one of UK versus Argentina but one of self-determination and human rights.

The Argentinian foreign minister Hector Timerman said that the vote bares no meaning and that the vote was illegal and just another delaying maneuver.

The Argentinian view is that it has first claim to sovereignty of the island and that the citizens there were “transplanted” by a former colonial power.

The citizens of the Falkland Islands hope that with the beginning of oil and gas pumping they can contribute to the otherwise costly permanent presence of some 1300 British troops in the Falklands.

Posted by James Fried on Wednesday March 13 2013, 4:26 AM EDT. Ref: The Guardian. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0