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UK seeks 'sensible' relations with Argentina
15 June 2012The UK is seeking a "reasonable, sensible relationship with Argentina", despite the ongoing war of words between the two countries over the Falkland Islands, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
His comments came on the 30th anniversary of the end of the 1982 Falklands War and shortly after Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner lobbied a United Nations' decolonisation committee to arrange talks over sovereignty of the islands.
Kirchner said she felt "shame from afar" after seeing the Falkland Islands flag flying above Downing Street on the anniversary of the war.
"Wars are not to be celebrated nor are they to be commemorated," she said. "Do you know why? Because many people lost their lives."
Kirchner compared flying the Falklands flag above Number 10 with commemorating the anniversary of the German surrender during WWII.
"Why are they doing this to us?" she said. "We had nothing to do with that dictatorship. We were victims."
She also rejected representations made by delegates from the Falkland Islands, who told the committee that Argentina was bullying islanders through a series of restrictions on trade and passage.
"How can anyone paint us that way when since 1983 we have only been part of military missions in peace keeping," said Kirchner.
"They will not find us in Iraq or Afghanistan and if we are talking about referendums, let's have a referendum in Iraq or Afghanistan and see what they think."
Despite Kirchner's belligerent tone at the UN, Prime Minister David Cameron insisted the UK wanted a "reasonable, sensible relationship with Argentina".
"When it comes to the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, there will be absolutely no negotiation," he said.
"This is not some game of global Monopoly – with nations passing a territory between them. It's about the islanders determining their own future. This has been their home for almost 180 years. There are children whose ancestors have lived there for generations. The roots go deep — and they will not be ripped out.
"So my message to the government of Argentina is this. The UK has no aggressive intentions towards you. Accusations of militarisation and nuclear threats are hyperbole and propaganda. But do not underestimate our resolve. Threats will not work. Attempts to intimidate the islanders will not succeed. Because Britain stands ready and willing to stand up for the Falkland Islanders at any time. As long as they wish to remain a British territory, that is the way it will stay."
HAVE YOUR SAY
15 June 2012
Better start rebuilding the Navy then David
Andy
16 June 2012
Roosevelt had it right ..... "speak softly but carry a big stick" I wonder if Cameron, Osborn and Clegg ever heard of this in their expensive schools???
Norman - UK
16 June 2012
Better start rebuilding the Navy then David
Andy
The RN would tear Argentina a new one if she tried anything. However I do share your sentinment about the neglect of the Navy.
Libya, Growing Piracy not just of Somali but also the western horn of Africa as well as increasingly aggressive drugs runners in the West Indies are just the smaller issues.
Indian and Chinese expansion in the Pacific as well as the proliferation of Submarines, particularly SSK's and miget submarines is an issue. The instability in the middle east is a big issue. Syria is of course showing that tensions with Russia and the west are once again on the rise.
The 1998 SDR painted a good idea for how the RN should work and operate and it had a lot to look up to with regards its structure. The Coalition could do worse than taking a look at that document and considering its use for 2015 SDSR.
Anthony - Bristol, United Kingdom
16 June 2012
Fine words, and actually the right approach by Mr Cameron. Kircher on the other hand is acting almost childish, the arguments she throws at the UN are poor at best. Surely she cant expect the educated world to buy into her stories.
But yes Andy unfortunatley Mr Cameron talks the talk but does not walk the walk. The Royal Navy is currently enduring a very painful period in which it is suffering dangerous capability gaps with the promise of a better tommorow.
I think it has gone to far.
David Forster - Durham
16 June 2012
They do say,
That action speaks louder than words,
And sadly we do a lot of talking lately,
A shame then David, that's all you can do, seeing as you have all but destroyed our military forces,
So, yes , talk as much as you want, meanwhile, CFK is putting her kind of peace, into action, partly-
Blockading , abusing ,threatening , intimidating ,
And the once great Britain, just wants to be friends,,
You are a disgrace,
criss of herts - london
18 June 2012
Trouble is Argentina isn't capable of sensible relations with the UK!
Graham - High Wycombe
29 June 2012
It is a pity that relations between the UK and Argentina are'nt better than they are. The two nations have perhaps more in common than some people think. The Argentinians tend to think of themselves as the most cultured, civilised nation in South America, much as we might think of ourselves in a European context, rightly or wrongly.
J. Southworth - University of Hull
30 July 2012
In the UK, when someone mentions Argentina, most people think the Falklands War, or Eva Peron, or death squads. Not many people realise that Argentina also has some brilliant artists, writers and craftspeople. I think there's a substantial failure of education in evidence here. I don't think we should negotiate over the sovereignty of the Falklands, but economic cooperation in the area might be possible with a bit more good will on both sides.
J. Southworth - University of Hull