Argentina has initiated a new diplomatic challenge against Britain regarding the Falkland Islands, raising questions about the legitimacy of the UK’s seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Jorge Arguello, the Argentine ambassador to the UN, argued that Britain should no longer have guaranteed representation on the Security Council due to “having won a war 60 years ago.”
A close associate of the Argentine president, Cristina Kirchner, he expressed his disdain toward comments made by David Cameron. The UK Prime Minister stated in his Christmas address, “We have no doubts whatsoever about the United Kingdom’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.”
Arguello remarked that the Commander of the British forces in the area “will have the right range of potent assets to defend the Islands, and reinforce quickly if necessary.”
In response, Mr. Arguello stated, “The time is coming when the international community may question whether winning a war 60 years ago is enough to secure a place on the Security Council in the 21st Century.”
He asserted that the current inhabitants of the Falklands were “implanted after military force removed the Argentine population that previously resided there.”
President Kirchner has vowed to fight indefinitely for the islands, which Argentina occupied in 1982 before being defeated by a British expedition ordered by Margaret Thatcher.
Comments from Buenos Aires were denounced last night as “provocative and unacceptable” by Tory MP Andrew Rossindell, who serves on the Commons foreign affairs select committee.
He remarked, “Britain’s role in advancing global freedom, especially during invasions like those of the Second World War and in 1982, is commendable. I doubt Argentina can claim an equivalent record; in fact, it is quite the opposite.”
Simon Weston, patron of the Falklands Veterans Foundation, commented, “Mr Cameron is absolutely right to assert that sovereignty is a matter for the islanders. They deserve the right to self-determination.”
A permanent British military presence is established on the islands, consisting of 1,076 troops and four ships stationed in the area.
by David Livingstone