Argentina claim
31 October 2013
The Argentinian President condemns the junta responsible for the 1982 conflict, and calls for peaceful dialogue
Sir, You note that since 2003 unemployment in Argentina has fallen sharply from 21 per cent to 7.2 per cent (“Kirchner’s time runs out as voters call for jobs, not handouts”, Oct 26). This reduction, achieved under Presidents Nestor and Cristina Kirchner, is the result of a socially inclusive programme of industrialisation and growth.
Yet you also say that “Mrs Kirchner’s sabre-rattling over the Falklands has been largely dismissed by Argentinians as a means of distracting attention from her domestic woes”. Our President condemns the military junta responsible for the 1982 conflict, and calls for peaceful dialogue and negotiation alongside the international community. The British Government, meanwhile, is increasing its military presence in the South Atlantic to deter an invasion that will never happen. By stating that “moderate politicians waiting to succeed her are more likely to co-operate with Britain in developing resources rather than demand their return” you overlook that the Argentine sovereignty claim over the Malvinas is enshrined in our Constitution and recognised by all political parties.
Our government proposed to establish regular flights between Buenos Aires and Malvinas and to co-operate on fisheries’ conservation. Since the Malvinas’ inhabitants are British but the territory in which they live is not, there is no doubt that dialogue between Argentina and the UK would improve their quality of life. As you stated (“BP disaster could be drop in ocean compared with spill in Falklands”, April 28, 2012), oil exploitation, among other things, is unfeasible without proper relations with our continent.
Alicia Castro
Ambassador of Argentina
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/letters/article3908728.ece
Unedited version of the letter sent by Ambassador Alicia Castro to “The Times”
In your article “Kirchner`s time runs out as voters call for jobs, not handouts” published 26 October, your Buenos Aires correspondent, James Hider, gave the following objective figures regarding our economy: “7.2% unemployment rate, down from 21% when Nestor Kirchner was elected in 2003”.
This dramatic reduction, achieved over consecutive terms under Nestor Kirchner and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, represents a positive figure that many European governments would like to emulate. It is the result of a socially inclusive programme of industrialisation and growth; a formula available to economies in crisis worldwide.
Yet the reporter stated that “Mrs. Kirchner´s sabre-rattling against Britain over the Falklands has been largely dismissed by Argentinians as a means of distracting attention from her domestic woes.” He appears not to have noticed that our president, who opposes and condemns the military junta responsible for the 1982 conflict, is calling for peaceful dialogue and negotiation alongside the international community. The British government, meanwhile, is increasing its military presence in the South Atlantic to deter an invasion that will never happen. By stating that “moderate politicians waiting to succeed her are more likely to cooperate with Britain in developing resources rather than demand their return” he overlooks the fact that the Argentine sovereignty claim over the Malvinas is enshrined in our Constitution, recognised by all Argentine political parties and leaders.
My first assignment as Ambassador in 2012 was to present the UK my government’s proposal to establish regular flights between Buenos Aires and the Malvinas and to cooperate on fisheries’ conservation and prevent resources being plundered. Considering that the Malvinas’ inhabitants are British, but that the territory in which they live is not, there is no doubt that dialogue between Argentina and the UK would improve their quality of life. As stated in the Times article “BP disaster could be drop in ocean compared with spill in Falklands” dated 28 April 2012, oil exploitation, among other things, is unfeasible without proper relations with our continent.
Alicia Castro
Ambassador of Argentina to the United Kingdom
Criminal sanctions on oil companies drilling around the Malvinas Islands approved by Argentine Congress
Early this morning the Argentine Congress passed a law establishing criminal sanctions to be imposed on companies and individuals involved in the illegal exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in the Argentine continental shelf.
The law provides for prison sentences for the duration of up to 15 years; fines equivalent to the value of 1.5 million barrels of oil; the banning of individuals and companies from operating in Argentina; and the confiscation of equipment and any hydrocarbons that would have been illegally extracted.
The Argentine Embassy in London has already sent over 200 letters to companies directly or indirectly involved in the aforementioned activities warning them that they are liable to administrative, civil and criminal actions in accordance with the laws governing such activities, including environmental protection laws.
The Argentine Government has protested against and rejected all of the United Kingdom’s attempts to promote and authorize such hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities in the area of the Argentine continental shelf.
These attempts are manifestly contrary to Resolution 31/49 of the United Nations General Assembly, which requires the UK and Argentina to refrain from taking decisions that would imply introducing unilateral modifications into the situation of the Malvinas Islands while the sovereignty dispute between the two countries is still pending.
The Argentine position is supported by the countries of MERCOSUR, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), the Ibero-American Summit, the Summit of South-American and Arab Countries (ASPA) and the G77 plus China. Furthermore, the MERCOSUR and UNASUR countries have made specific commitments aimed at discouraging and preventing the above-mentioned illegal activities.
Traducción del Comunicado
Londres 28 noviembre 2013
El Congreso Argentino aprobó una ley que establece Régimen de Sanciones penales para empresas petroleras que exploren en las Islas Malvinas
En la madrugada de hoy el Congreso Argentino aprobó una ley que establece sanciones penales a las empresas y personas físicas involucradas en la exploración y explotación ilegal de hidrocarburos en la plataforma continental argentina.
La ley prevé penas de prisión de hasta 15 años; multas equivalentes al valor de mercado de 1,5 millones de barriles de petróleo, la inhabilitación de las personas y las empresas para operar en Argentina, y el decomiso de los equipos e hidrocarburos que se hubiesen extraído ilegalmente.
La Embajada Argentina en Londres ya había enviado más de 200 cartas a empresas involucradas directa o indirectamente en las actividades antes mencionadas, advirtiéndoles que son susceptibles de acciones administrativas, civiles y penales, de acuerdo con las leyes que rigen este tipo de actividades, incluidas las de protección ambiental.
El Gobierno Argentino ha protestado y rechazado todos los intentos del Reino Unido para promover y autorizar este tipo de actividades de exploración y explotación de hidrocarburos en la plataforma continental argentina.
Estos intentos son manifiestamente contrarios a la Resolución 31/49 de la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas, que insta al Reino Unido y a la Argentina a que se abstengan de adoptar decisiones que impliquen la introducción de modificaciones unilaterales en la situación de las Islas Malvinas, mientras que la disputa de soberanía entre los dos países continúe pendiente.
La posición argentina es apoyada por los países del MERCOSUR , la Unión de Naciones Suramericanas (UNASUR), la Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y del Caribe (CELAC), la Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América (ALBA), la Cumbre Iberoamericana, la Cumbre de Países de América del Sur y Países Árabes (ASPA) y el G-77 más China. Más aún, los países integrantes del MERCOSUR y de UNASUR han expresado específicamente su compromiso a desalentar y prevenir las actividades ilegales mencionadas anteriormente.
Repercusión en Prensa Británica
La explotación petrolera en las Islas acarreará penas de 15 años de cárcel
The Guardian informa que la Argentina “incrementó dramáticamente la presión” sobre las empresas británicas que operan en Malvinas y, citando el comunicado de prensa de la Embajada argentina en Londres, describe los principales puntos del nuevo régimen de sanciones. Habla también de la guerra de 1982 y del rechazo por parte del Primer Ministro David Cameron ? “también en conflicto con España por Gibraltar” ? de los derechos soberanos argentinos. El articulo destaca que la mayoria de las principales empresas petroleras, como Britrish Petroleum (BP) prefieren mantenerse alejadas de la exploracion en Malvinas para no perjudicar sus oportunidades de negocios en el territorio continental argentino. Breve mención final al acuerdo entre Repsol e YPF.
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/28/argentina-jail-threat-over-falklands-drilling
La Argentina promete encarcelar a quienes exploten el petróleo de las Islas
También citando el comunicado de la Embajada, The Telegraph repasa los principales puntos del nuevo régimen de sanciones penales y describe la situación como una “nueva escalada retórica” en la disputa de soberanía. Dice que “hasta ahora” las empresas que exploran en Malvinas han desestimado las “amenazas” argentinas.
La Argentina amenaza la exploración petroleras en las Islas
Otro artículo de The Telegraph cita el comunicado de la Embajada para describir las sanciones penales recientemente aprobadas. Cita también las declaraciones verbales del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores británico en las que éste defiende los alegados derechos de los isleños de disponer del petróleo de las islas y niega la jurisdicción argentina sobre dichos recursos.
Amenaza de la Argentina por las operaciones petroleras en las Islas
La BBC señala los principales puntos de la nueva legislación penal y cita varios párrafos del comunicado de la Embajada, entre ellos, el que refiere a la violación por parte del Reino Unido de la resolución 31/49 de la Asamblea General. También cita las palabras del vocero del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores británico en defensa del supuesto derecho de los isleños de explotar los recursos petroleros de las islas como parte de su alegado derecho a la autodeterminación. Incluye también menciones al referéndum isleño de marzo de 2012 y al conflicto bélico de 1982.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25149096
En nuevo episodio en la disputa de soberanía, Argentina amenaza a las empresas petroleras que operan alrededor de las Islas con penas de cárcel de 15 años
El tabloide Daily Mail habla sobre las nuevas sanciones penales, mencionando que nuestro país considera las ilegales operaciones hidrocarburíferas en las islas como contrarias a una resolución de las Naciones Unidas. Incluye también varios párrafos del comunicado de la Embajada, así como las declaraciones del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores británico en las que éste defiende la supuesta legalidad y legitimidad de aquéllas operaciones. Menciona, asimismo, al referéndum isleño que tuvo lugar en 2012 y dice que “la Presidenta argentina Cristina Fernández de Kirchner ha intensificado su retórica respecto de las islas durante este año”.
La Argentina declara la guerra por las reservas petroleras en las Islas con advertencia de aplicar sanciones penales
El Express titula que la Argentina “declara la guerra a las reservas petroleras” de las Islas y dice que “la decisión argentina implica una escalada en la tensión en la región”, provocando una “furiosa reacción” del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores británico. Menciona otras acciones legales del gobierno argentino en la materia, la resolución 31/49 de las Naciones Unidas, el referéndum isleño y la guerra de 1982.
La disputa petrolera en las Islas: Argentina amenaza a las empresas
La cadena Sky News describió la medida como “el capítulo más reciente de la disputa de soberanía con el Reino Unido”. Cita a la Embajada y a la Cancillería británica y concluye mencionando el referéndum de 2012.
http://news.sky.com/story/1175236/falklands-oil-row-argentinas-threat-to-firms
Gran Bretaña-Argentina en una nueva disputa por la explotación en las Islas.
Reuters cita varios párrafos del comunicado de prensa de la Embajada para explicar los principales elementos de la nueva legislación, así como las declaraciones británicas. Menciona a la guerra de 1982 y concluye con que “la mayoría de los argentinos piensan que las islas pertenecen a la Argentina”.
Gran Bretaña-Argentina en una nueva disputa por la explotación en las Islas.
Muy similar al anterior de Reuters.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/11/28/uk-britain-argentina-falklands-idUKBRE9AR0S320131128
Empresas petroleras en las Islas: amenazas
El Belfast Telegraph cita extensamente el comunicado de la Embajada y las declaraciones británicas, y se refiere también a las repetidas advertencias del Gobierno argentino de los últimos meses.
Gran Bretaña-Argentina en una nueva disputa por la explotación en las Islas
Copia íntegramente el artículo de Reuters.
3 January 2014
The Embassy of Argentina in London shares with you an article by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Héctor Timerman, published today by Argentine newspaper PAGINA 12, titled "A Peaceful Struggle".
A Peaceful Struggle
by Héctor Timerman
"This day, 3 January 2014, marks a new anniversary of the usurpation by Great Britain of Argentina’s Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas. A total of approximately 3 million square kilometres that belongs to the Argentine people and the deprivation of which impairs Argentina’s territorial integrity.
The year that has just ended saw an escalation of verbal attacks by British officials when referring to the Question of the Malvinas Islands. In contrast, Argentina’s willingness to engage in dialogue and its resolve to settle a colonial conflict through peaceful means have received renewed and vigorous support the world over, including in Britain.
As a corollary to a year in which the British government issued threats to several independent countries, to such an extent that the British Parliament itself had to reject its attempts to launch military actions in the Middle East, the British government devoted a paragraph of its Christmas address to the military defence of the Malvinas Islands, forgetting -if the British government was ever able to appreciate it- the peace message that Christmas should inspire.
Perhaps this was the expression of a failed attempt to confuse the world as to the colonial and military occupation of Argentine territory, and the result of the lack of legal and historical arguments.
The “referendum” –a misnomer- by which 1500 British nationals from the islands decided to remain British, is a violation of UN resolutions. Neither Resolution 2065 nor the others include the self-determination principle in the Malvinas Question. Moreover, in 1985, the United Nations General Assembly rejected on two occasions Britain’s proposals to include this principle in the draft resolution on the Malvinas. None of the requirements that give rise to the application of the principle of self-determination are present in the Question of the Malvinas Islands.
It should be noted that the United Nations Decolonization Committee made no mention of the self-styled referendum in any of the resolutions it adopted during the year that has just ended.
The lack of arguments and the wide support for Argentina’s right to territorial integrity prompt the United Kingdom to act and express itself in an aggressive fashion that is inappropriate for a nuclear power that is also a permanent member of the Security Council. Such behaviour undermines the international community’s attempts for all countries to accept UN decisions in order to achieve peaceful resolution of conflicts. Britain has no moral authority, being the country that has most often ignored United Nations decisions, especially when it comes to bringing colonialism to an end.
Aggressive statements are no novelty in the Malvinas Question. Suffice it to recall the comments published in 1842 in The Times, the informal mouthpiece of the British Crown, when a new request was made by the Argentine representative in London to begin discussion on the Malvinas Question: “we do not know what is to be admired the most: the insolence of the South American or the resignation of the Queen’s Minister who refrained from kicking him down the stairs”.
For Argentina, the past year was one of intense activity undertaken to highlight its sovereign rights and defend the natural resources that suffer despoilment at the hands of the colonial power.
For the first time ever, all African countries adopted the Malabo Declaration recognizing Argentina’s lawful rights over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas, thus echoing the position of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The militaristic expressions of the occupying power and the accompanying increase in the number of weapons deployed in the South Atlantic – including nuclear submarines – were condemned by all African and American countries with shores on the South Atlantic, at the Montevideo Summit.
In March 2013, our country went to the United Nations headquarters in New York to request Secretary-General Mr. Ban-Ki-moon to act under his good offices mandate from the General Assembly.
In an unprecedented gesture, the Foreign Ministers of Cuba and Uruguay and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Peru, which are the countries that hold the Pro Tempore Presidencies of CELAC, MERCOSUR and UNASUR respectively, were present to support Argentina’s position. In fact, the UN authorities themselves were surprised at the strong support displayed by the three organizations that represent all Latin American and Caribbean countries.
The government conducted a sustained information campaign worldwide. Brochures on the Question of the Malvinas Islands were published, containing history and background on the discussion of the matter at the United Nations, in German, Greek, Japanese, Romanian, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Turkish and Serbian.
Progress was also made in the translation of materials on the Question of the Malvinas Islands into Arabic and Hebrew. The documentary “Malvinas – A History of Usurpation” was re-released with subtitles in English, French, Portuguese and Arabic.
A key aspect of our peaceful struggle are the more than 90 supporting groups in countries on all five continents that work towards a definitive solution to the colonial conflict. Last year, as part of their various activities, some of the groups established took the following steps:
From 5 to 7 February, the First Meeting of the European Pro-Dialogue Groups on the Malvinas Question took place in London. It was attended by members of the Executive and Legislative Branches of Argentina.
From 17 to 19 June 2013, the First Meeting of the Malvinas Solidarity Groups from North America was held in Mexico City.
On 12-13 September 2013, the First Meeting of the Malvinas Solidarity Groups from Central America and the Caribbean was held in Havana.
Argentine members of Parliament also carried out many activities to defend our national position:
In the parliamentary diplomacy sphere, declarations in favour of resuming negotiations with the United Kingdom were obtained from the Latin American section of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EUROLAT) and the Assembly of the Latin American Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Furthermore, awareness-raising actions were carried out on the occasion of the meetings of the 129th IPU Assembly, the 10th Parlamericas Assembly, Parlatino and the Andean Parliament.
Finally, the chairs of the Committees on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and of the Senate of Argentina made a fruitful visit to the Irish Parliament and held meetings there to discuss the Question of the Malvinas Islands specifically. In addition, contacts were established with legislators from other countries and organizations, such as the US, Panama, the EU and Vietnam to address the Malvinas Question.
On 4-6 February, a meeting was held in London with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Argentina, to the members of which Argentina conveyed its willingness to resume sovereignty negotiations with the United Kingdom.
A meeting was also held by the Argentina-UK Parliamentary Friendship Groups, within the context of which the Question of the Malvinas Islands was touched upon.
In November, the Foreign Ministry received a delegation of British parliamentarians. On this occasion, the Question of the Malvinas Islands was referred to and information material was delivered to the delegation.
The year 2013 will be remembered as one of great progress in the defence of the hydrocarbons present on the Argentine continental shelf. Implementation of the Argentine Government´s Plan of Action against the unlawful hydrocarbon-related activities on the Argentine continental shelf continued. The following steps were taken in this regard:
Argentina attended a meeting with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Koji Sekimizu, to whom it expressed concern about the growing militarization of the South Atlantic by the United Kingdom and about the danger posed to the marine environment by unilateral hydrocarbon exploration activities conducted by the UK. At the meeting, it was reiterated that the attempt by the United Kingdom to promote and authorize the exploration and exploitation of renewable and non-renewable natural resources in the area under the sovereignty dispute is contrary to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 31/49, which calls upon both parties to the dispute to refrain from introducing unilateral modifications in the situation while the decolonization process recommended by the General Assembly continues.
Pursuant to Argentine Law No. 26,659, the Argentine Secretary of Energy passed resolutions imposing a ban for a term of 15 to 20 years on the six British companies involved in illegitimate hydrocarbon exploration activities on the Argentine continental shelf. The resolutions were notified to the six companies active in the illegally occupied area.
MERCOSUR issued a joint communiqué recognizing Argentina’s right to take legal actions under its legislation against unauthorized hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities in the Malvinas area.
A number of demarches were carried out within the framework of the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), the 43rd Ministerial Meeting of which expressed its support for the adoption of measures related to hydrocarbons.
At the behest of the Argentine Foreign Ministry, the Argentine Ministry of Justice and Human Rights –in conjunction with the Secretary of Energy- drafted a bill to amend Law No. 26,659 (Conditions for exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons on the Argentine Continental Shelf), with a view to incorporating into this legal instrument a new offence imposing criminal liability on any individuals or corporations that, not being authorized by the competent authority, carry out hydrocarbon exploration or exploitation activities in the bed or subsoil of the Argentine territorial sea or on the Argentine continental shelf, in addition to other pre-existing criminal liability. The law enacted by the Argentine Congress and promulgated by President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner under number 26,915 will enable the Argentine Judiciary to request international legal cooperation for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the illegal exploration and exploitation of our hydrocarbons.
All of these steps are being taken with the determination to defend, through peaceful means, the legitimate rights of the Argentine people to exercise sovereignty throughout its entire territory and to prevent foreign powers from continuing to plunder the resources existing in the land and maritime areas illegally occupied for over 180 years now. The abovementioned law is also consistent with the directives of the United Nations, which, as already stated, in the face of British announcements regarding hydrocarbon exploration, urged the parties to refrain from adopting decisions involving the introduction of unilateral changes into the current situation of the area subject to the dispute.
Towards the end of the year, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner made a historic decision to create a Secretariat dealing exclusively with the Question of the Malvinas Islands in order to coordinate Argentine efforts related to the peaceful recovery of the Islands and the surrounding maritime areas in accordance with our Constitution: through dialogue and bilateral negotiations between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
The verbal and military threats of the colonial power will continue to be met with Argentina’s demand for respect for international law and for UN resolutions. In other words, the United Kingdom’s refusal to sit down at the negotiating table is compelling evidence that, in the Question of the Malvinas Islands, the lion roars but does not inspire fear any more.
Daniel Filmus, Secretary for matters relating to the Malvinas
Argentine Secretary for the Malvinas Question Daniel Filmus responds to British Minister Hugo Swire, MP
British Minister for Latin America, Hugo Swire, is preparing for a visit to the Malvinas Islands, one of the last colonial remains to exist in the world today. Before leaving, he sent a message which was aimed at the islands’ British colonists but also, doubtless, at the Argentines.
With the characteristic high-handedness of the colonial tradition that he upholds, Minister Hugo Swire has suggested that the Argentine Republic’s policy of demanding strict compliance with United Nations resolutions in order to resolve the Question of Malvinas Islands sovereignty through bilateral dialogue with the United Kingdom is doomed to failure.
Once again, the British government is rejecting the mandate of nations worldwide who for nearly 50 years have been calling, since Resolution 2065 of 1965, for a peaceful solution to the dispute to be reached through dialogue between Argentina and the United Kingdom. This position is not only reiterated annually by the United Nations Decolonisation Committee but has also been backed by regional bodies in Latin America and the Caribbean, the OAS, African and Asian countries and the Group of 77 plus China, which comprises over 120 nations globally. The United Kingdom itself participated in bilateral dialogue with Argentina on this matter from 1966-82, even when our country was governed by cruel dictatorships. Why then do they not do so today with our democratic government?
Paradoxically, in the same statement, Minister Hugo Swire invited Argentina to dialogue over the region’s natural resources, thus revealing the United Kingdom’s main objective in the South Atlantic: to pillage the wealth of hydrocarbons, minerals, fish stocks, water and biodiversity that belong to 40 million Argentines and are part of Latin America. Herein lies the reason for having established a disproportionate military presence on the Malvinas Islands. As Argentines we shall continue to use all legal and diplomatic means available to defend our riches.
Furthermore, we reiterate that Argentina safeguards the rights of the islanders by committing to wholly complying with the mandates of UN Resolution 2065 and our own Constitution, which provide for respect for the interests and way of life of those living on the Malvinas Islands.
I should like to point out to Minister Hugo Swire that what human history has shown is that what is doomed to failure is not the struggle of peoples to defend their territorial integrity, but colonial high-handedness. Suffice to compare the map of Britain’s early-20th century colonial possessions obtained by dint of slavery and weaponry, with today’s map where a mere 17 colonies remain, 10 of which are ruled by the United Kingdom.
Lastly, I should like to reiterate to the Minister our call to dialogue with the United Kingdom under the terms of the United Nations resolutions. This is not only our government’s position; it is also a commitment to dialogue that is supported by our people and by all political and social sectors nationwide. Argentine democracy, which has just marked its 30th anniversary, firmly believes that peace, diplomacy and dialogue are the only way to settle the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas Islands as well as guaranteeing a fairer world where the rights of all peoples are respected, without exception.
Embassy of the Argentine Republic
65 Brook Street
London
W1K 4AH
Web: www.argentine-embassy-uk.org
Press Office
Tel: 020 7318 1323
Fax: 020 7318 1301
Email: pressoffice@argentine-embassy-uk.org
Mercosur Parliament rejects the "principle of self-determination" claim from Malvinas inhabitants.
The Mercosur Parliament (a body comprising parliamentarians from Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela and Argentina) rejected yesterday the claim from inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands to apply the "principle of self-determination of peoples", within the context of the sovereignty dispute between Argentina and Great Britain.
As Alicia Castro, Ambassador of Argentina to the United Kingdom has stated, “the self-determination of peoples is a fundamental principle of contemporary international law, but it does not apply to just any human community established on a territory, rather only to peoples; and it certainly does not apply to the current inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands”.
Jorge Landau, an Argentine MP who participated in the meeting, reported that in the session held in Montevideo, Mercosur’s parliamentarians passed a resolution which stated that "the principle of self-determination of peoples cannot be applied" whilst the islands "are under dispute" at the UN.
Mercosur’s Parliament also signed an agreement to organise "public hearings on colonialism and its importance to Mercosur", to be held within 60 days. Landau informed that "agreements were reached to hold public hearings over the coming days in order to raise awareness over the matter, in support of Argentina’s claim to its legitimate sovereignty rights" over the Malvinas Islands, which, he said, constitute a "follow-up of the matters that Mercosur’s Parliament deems to be of regional importance".
The Argentine MP noted that the South American representatives considered the referendum carried out on the Malvinas on 10 and 11 March last year to be “illegitimate” and that "it does not bring the sovereignty dispute over the islands to an end".
Embassy of the Argentine Republic
65 Brook Street
London
W1K 4AH
Web: www.argentine-embassy-uk.org
Press Office
Tel: 020 7318 1323
Fax: 020 7318 1301
Email: pressoffice@argentine-embassy-uk.org
Mercosur Parliament rejects the "principle of self-determination" claim from Malvinas inhabitants.
The Mercosur Parliament (a body comprising parliamentarians from Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela and Argentina) rejected yesterday the claim from inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands to apply the "principle of self-determination of peoples", within the context of the sovereignty dispute between Argentina and Great Britain.
As Alicia Castro, Ambassador of Argentina to the United Kingdom has stated, “the self-determination of peoples is a fundamental principle of contemporary international law, but it does not apply to just any human community established on a territory, rather only to peoples; and it certainly does not apply to the current inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands”.
Jorge Landau, an Argentine MP who participated in the meeting, reported that in the session held in Montevideo, Mercosur’s parliamentarians passed a resolution which stated that "the principle of self-determination of peoples cannot be applied" whilst the islands "are under dispute" at the UN.
Mercosur’s Parliament also signed an agreement to organise "public hearings on colonialism and its importance to Mercosur", to be held within 60 days. Landau informed that "agreements were reached to hold public hearings over the coming days in order to raise awareness over the matter, in support of Argentina’s claim to its legitimate sovereignty rights" over the Malvinas Islands, which, he said, constitute a "follow-up of the matters that Mercosur’s Parliament deems to be of regional importance".
The Argentine MP noted that the South American representatives considered the referendum carried out on the Malvinas on 10 and 11 March last year to be “illegitimate” and that "it does not bring the sovereignty dispute over the islands to an end".
Embassy of the Argentine Republic
65 Brook Street
London
W1K 4AH
Web: www.argentine-embassy-uk.org
Press Office
Tel: 020 7318 1323
Fax: 020 7318 1301
Email: pressoffice@argentine-embassy-uk.org
Britain's new 'governor of the Falkland islands' is a provocation
Colin Roberts, who once referred to Chagos islanders as 'Man Fridays', is not the person to encourage dialogue between nations
Argentinas ambassador to the UK
'Nobody doubts the residents of Malvinas are British and can continue to be so, but the territory in which they live is not.' Photograph: Enrique Marcarian/Reuters
The British government has appointed Colin Roberts, who was previously director for overseas territories in the Foreign Office, to be the "governor" of the Malvinas, or Falkland, islands.
Since their seizure in 1833, the Malvinas islands have been a territory under sovereignty dispute, a pending case for decolonisation. As such, Roberts's appointment represents yet another unilateral act on the part of the United Kingdom that violates its obligation under international law to resolve the dispute over the islands through diplomatic negotiations with Argentina.
I once met Roberts at the Foreign Office, and I do not have a fond recollection of our meeting. His conduct towards me, as the ambassador of my country, was akin to that one might expect from an official of the empire, scolding his subjects. This, had it not been offensive, would have been quite simply ridiculous.
Yet neither imperial arrogance nor the breaching of international law is anything new. One element that is striking, however, is that the UK, which refuses to resolve the dispute and aims to justify the continued occupation of the islands by invoking the right to self-determination for the current British inhabitants, decided to choose none other than Roberts to "govern" them.
The right of self-determination of peoples is not applicable to any or every human community, but only to "peoples". In the case of the inhabitants of the Malvinas, we do not have a separate "people", still less one subjected to colonialism. The British residents of the islands do not have the right to resolve the sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the UK: nobody doubts they are British, and can continue to be so, but the territory in which they live is not. It belongs to Argentina.
In contrast, the ones who were denied the right to exercise self-determination were, and are, the inhabitants of Diego García in the Chagos archipelago, in the Indian Ocean. More than 2,000 islanders were expelled by the UK during the late 60s in order to enable a US military base to be established there. Ever since, living in poverty and scattered far and wide across the world, the Chagossians have been claiming their right to return to their territory and their homes.
Through cables from the US embassy in London leaked by WikiLeaks, which were published by the Guardian in 2010, we were told that the then director for overseas territories of the FCO, Roberts, insisted to the US political counsellor that "establishing a marine park would, in effect, put paid to resettlement claims of the archipelago's former residents", and would thus prevent these Chagossians, these fishermen, from returning to their island.
According to the US diplomats, Roberts said that "there will be no human footprints nor Man Fridays [sic] on these uninhabited islands". He used the term "Man Friday" for the Chagossians, which is the pejorative name given to Robinson Crusoe's aboriginal servant. Responding to the concerns of the American diplomat, who warned him that those who support the Chagossians' return would continue to fervently raise media attention over their cause, Roberts attempted to quell any fears by assuring him that "the environmental lobby is much more powerful than the Chagossians' advocates".
This is the very same Colin Roberts who is now going to the Malvinas; he who was quoted describing the native Chagos islanders as servants, and who devised a strategy to destroy their livelihood – fishing – so that they might never again return to their island. It is he who the British government has sent to lead a small population who have sought – by casting 1,513 votes in a referendum – to impose by force their will and ambition to maintain their business monopoly. And this has been done against the opinion of millions of people from the world over who, through numerous resolutions from the UN and other international bodies, have called for dialogue between Argentina and the UK to resolve the sovereignty dispute.
This modern-day story possesses all the ingredients of a typical 19th-century colonial saga: violence, racial discrimination, double standards, arrogance, manipulation, cynicism and deception.
The 21st century demands, along with an end to this British colonial enclave in the south Atlantic, a policy of dialogue and respect between peoples and nations, within a multipolar world that will help promote universal peace.
19 March 2014
The Embassy of Argentina in London kindly shares Malvinas Secretary Daniel Filmus interview with The Daily Telegraph .
Malvinas Secretary Daniel Filmus
Falklands will be ours, says Argentina's new Minister
Daniel Filmus, Argentina's Malvinas Secretary, says he believes one day the Falklands will belong to Argentina – and that the negotiations would not be 'mission impossible'
By Harriet Alexander
Argentina´s newly appointed Falklands Islands secretary has said he is convinced that the islands will one day be returned to Argentine rule – and denounced Britain's "aggressive moves" in the region.
Daniel Filmus said the issue was "a question that runs deep in the hearts of the Argentine people," speaking two days after Cristina Kirchner, the Argentine president, met with the Pope and is thought to have asked him – as a fellow Argentine – to champion their cause.
And Mr Filmus, a close ally of the firebrand president, told The Telegraph that Argentine people "find it inconceivable – at this stage in the 21st century – that a portion of their territory should be in the possession of a colonial power."
But surely, three months into his freshly-created role, he cannot seriously believe that Britain's position on the Falkland Islands will change?
"Yes," he replied, in a series of emailed responses. "The history of humankind has shown that the trend is for colonialism to disappear off the face of the Earth.
"We are convinced that the British people, whom we deeply respect, understand the injustice that arises from the rupture of a country's territorial integrity and that the rulers of the countries involved should resume dialogue."
Mr Filmus, 58, a former academic who became minister for education during the presidency of Mrs Kirchner's husband, Nestor, has embraced the new role wholeheartedly.
Like his feisty boss, he is an ardent user of Twitter to convey his message. She refuses to give interviews, and instead rallies her troops directly with battle cries issued to her 2.6 million followers. He, meanwhile, uses the tool to reiterate rhetoric on the Isles, commiserate the deaths of Argentine Falklands war veterans, and issue strident ripostes to British minister's words.
When Hugo Swire, minister of state for the foreign office, said during a visit to the Falklands last month that he felt opposition politicians would have a "more realistic and mature vision than the current government", Mr Filmus hit back that it was an Argentine policy that would never change.
He also gleefully tweeted another article in response, in which an Argentine senator, Aníbal Fernández, Mrs Kirchner's former chief of cabinet, said that Mr Swire's "tongue was larger than his head."
The verbal crossfire peaked two years ago, with the 30th anniversary of the conflict, but has remained the defining feature of British-Argentine relations.
Is this relentless rhetoric not destroying what could otherwise be a good relationship? "What is most affecting good relations between our countries is the UK's unwillingness to engage in dialogue, its failure to observe UN resolutions and the unilateral actions and militarisation it is carrying out in the South Atlantic," he retorted.
And he accused Britain of making "aggressive moves" in the South Atlantic.
"The UN asks both the United Kingdom and Argentina to refrain from carrying out any unilateral actions in the Malvinas case," he said. "The actions performed by the United Kingdom in the area, without Argentina's consent, especially military actions and actions that involve plundering natural resources in the disputed area, are aggressive moves."
He dismissed Britain's repeated statement that it was up to the inhabitants of the islands to decide upon their own rulers – saying that Britain ignored the wishes of those living on Diego Garcia, when they were forceable expelled from the Indian Ocean atoll in the late 1960s.
"In an ideal world, there shouldn't be colonial situations arising from territorial usurpation by force, and UN resolutions should be respected and complied with. That is why we consider that, if the UK were willing to engage in bilateral negotiations, this would greatly contribute to a better world and to respectful and supportive relations between our peoples," he said.
"The case of the Diego García Islands and its population is yet another example of the little importance Great Britain attaches to self-determination," he replied.
He continued: "We do not dispute in any way the fact that the great majority of the islanders are British. We do respect their decision.
"However, this does not mean that the British inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands can resolve the sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
"This is because the principle of self-determination does not apply to just any community based in a territory, but only to peoples. It is certainly not applicable to the current inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands, who do not constitute a separate people and, what is more, have not been victims of colonialism."
Argentina last month announced that it will seek prison sentences for anyone who drills for oil in Falkland waters. In August 2012 the so-called "Gaucho Rivero" law – named after an Argentine cowboy who led an uprising in the Falklands against the British in 1833 – was passed, preventing vessels sailing under the British flag from "mooring, loading or carrying out logistical operations" in any of Buenos Aires province's ports.
Aren't such rulings damaging Argentina's wider business climate, and making the country unattractive for business?
"Absolutely not," said Mr Filmus. "Compliance with the laws of our countries cannot be deemed to be the cause of a deteriorating business environment. Quite on the contrary, the observance of the law should strengthen relations. Our aspiration is for the terms of trade with the United Kingdom to see permanent improvement."
And what is his answer to people who say this battle is all for economic reasons? That it acts as a smokescreen for domestic woes, while emphasising Argentina's claim to the islands where oil is being drilled?
Argentina's economy is currently taking a battering, with sky-high inflation thought to be reaching 40 per cent masked by governmental fudging of official figures. Prices have been rising steadily since January, when the peso shed 18 per cent of its value against the US dollar. Government reserves are half of what they were four years ago, and currency controls are hitting businesses hard. Protests in Buenos Aires are now common. The Economist magazine – a long-standing critic of Mrs Kirchner's regime – featured a front-page photo of a despondent Lionel Messi, the star footballer, looking dejected under the headline "The parable of Argentina: a century of decline."
Mr Filmus rejected the idea that the government's focus is wrong.
"There is no doubt that all governments should be concerned about the economy and unemployment," he said.
"In Argentina, this has been amply demonstrated over this past decade, which saw the greatest economic growth in history (GDP has practically doubled since 2003 to date) and a drop in the unemployment rate from 22.5 per cent to 6.7 per cent. This all happened against the background of a world crisis, especially in Europe."
But, he continued, "the question of the Malvinas is not only one of the central pillars of our foreign policy, but also, and primarily, a question that runs deep in the hearts of the Argentine people."
Mrs Kirchner had lunch on Monday at the Vatican guesthouse where Pope Francis, the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, now lives.
Shortly after his inauguration a year ago, Mrs Kirchner met the Pontiff and said she had "asked for his intervention to avoid problems that could emerge from the militarisation of Great Britain in the South Atlantic."
Officials on Monday would not say whether the Falklands issue was raised during their meeting.
Mr Filmus on Monday travelled to the heart of Argentina's wine region, for a summit in the Andean town of Mendoza to launch the "Malvinas Observatory of Mendoza". This coalition of representatives from seven universities will act as a think tank "to debate and investigate the theme".
He said at the launch that the discussion was "not from one party, or one government – but an issue that relates to all Argentines."
But despite all the talk of debating the issues, Mr Filmus flatly ruled out talking to the Falkland Islanders themselves. Hector Timmerman, the foreign minister, refused to meet William Hague during a visit to London over the summer when Mr Hague said there would have to be representatives of the islanders present too. Mr Filmus backed his stance.
He said that he understood Britain's desire to include Falklanders in any talks – and even that Argentina agreed. But a UN resolution, he claimed, actively prevented tripartite talks.
"I do support Britain's stance not to talk with Argentina about the Malvinas Islands behind their inhabitants' backs; Argentina wouldn't either," he said.
"However, UN Resolution 2065 and subsequent resolutions expressly point out that the sovereignty dispute between our countries must be resolved through negotiations between Argentina and the United Kingdom, taking into account the interests of the inhabitants of the Islands."
The Argentine politician's words will be greeted with sighs of resignation from the 3,000 people living in the Falklands.
But Mr Filmus refused to see the situation as a stalemate.
"I do have a feeling of great responsibility, but also one of pride," he said. "It is a big challenge, because it entails a fundamental task closely linked with my country's history and future, one of high importance in our relations with the UK."
And then he added: "It is not a 'mission impossible'."
26 April 2014
The Embassy of Argentina in London kindly shares Malvinas Secretary Daniel Filmus meeting with Pope Francis.
Malvinas Secretary Daniel Filmus
MALVINAS SECRETARY MET POPE FRANCIS
In a meeting held today in the Vatican, Pope Francis met in public audience with the Secretary of Malvinas, Daniel Filmus. “The Pope asked about the work of the Secretariat and enquired about how we are progressing with the Malvinas Question”, Filmus reported from St Peters Square.
“Pope Francis stressed the need to continue advocating dialogue, and I reassured him that for the Argentine Government the only alternative was to keep working towards promoting bilateral negotiations with the United Kingdom”, Filmus added.
Filmus also addressed the matter of “double standards in this kind of case” in international relations.
The meeting between the Malvinas Secretary and the Pontiff took place a week after the latter received President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.
Argentina reiterates denunciation
British militarisation in the South Atlantic
In response to statements made on Tuesday by FCO Minister of State for Latin America, Hugo Swire, the Malvinas Secretariat of the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates its denunciation of British militarisation in the South Atlantic.
Argentina denies that the British military deployment is a merely defensive one. Neither the magnitude of the forces stationed in the archipelago nor the strategic importance of the islands for UK’s global deployment are consistent with such defensive claims.
Monte Agradable military base is the largest one south of 50° South Latitude. It has two inter-continental runways, an important command and control centre, and an electronic intelligence station to monitor naval and air traffic in the South Atlantic and much of South America, an area of peace and free of nuclear weapons.
The Royal Air Force deployment in the Malvinas Islands includes fourth generation warplanes (Typhoon Eurofighters), equipped with cruise missiles capable of reaching much of the Southern Cone. The British naval deployment consists of patrol and support vessels, a Type 23 frigate and a nuclear submarine capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Recent military exercises carried out by the United Kingdom in the area represent a display of its military power.
The operational range of the UK’s military base in the Malvinas Islands goes beyond the area under sovereignty dispute. The British Strategic Defence and Security Review (2010) shows the real strategic objective of the Malvinas military base: to have a support centre for British military deployment at a global scale.
It is well known that the UK is a global nuclear military power, founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
It is not just the current Argentine government that condemns the British militarisation of the South Atlantic. It is a State policy that has unanimously been endorsed by all parliamentary blocs in the National Congress with the adoption of "Declaration of Ushuaia" on the Malvinas Question in 2012.
Furthermore, all the countries in the region share Argentina’s concern about the British military deployment in the South Atlantic. This has been stated in several declarations by organisations such as MERCOSUR, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Ibero-American Summit, the Summit of South American and Arab Countries (ASPA) and the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic.
G77 plus China unanimously supports Argentina over the Malvinas and foreign debt
Yesterday, at the Special Summit marking the 50th Anniversary of the G77 plus China, in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, under the slogan “Towards a New World Order to Live Well”, representatives from 133 countries passed by consensus a declaration including significant support for the Argentine position on the question of the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas Islands and the conflict with vulture funds. The paragraphs in the declaration read as follows:
“We reaffirm the need for the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom to resume negotiations in accordance with the principles and objectives of the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, in order to find, as soon as possible, a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute relating to “the Question of the Malvinas Islands”, which seriously damages the economic capacities of Argentina, and the need for both parties to refrain from taking decisions that would imply introducing unilateral modifications in the situation while the islands are going through the process recommended by the General Assembly”.
“We also recall that sovereign debt management has been a crucial issue for developing countries in past decades and recent years. Recently, a new concern has emerged relating to the activities of vulture funds. Recent examples of the actions of vulture funds in international courts have revealed their highly speculative nature. Such funds pose a risk to all future debt-restructuring processes, both for developing and developed countries. We therefore stress the importance of not allowing vulture funds to paralyse the debt-restructuring efforts of developing countries or to deny states the right to protect their peoples under international law”.
To access the original press release by the Argentine Foreign Ministry (in Spanish), please follow this link: http://cancilleria.gov.ar/unanime-respaldo-del-g77-mas-china-la-argentina-en-malvinas-y-deuda-externa
Alicia Castro.
Ambassador of Argentina
to the United Kingdom, and Martin McGuinness, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland
Alicia Castro made official visit to Northern Ireland
-Significant support for the Malvinas cause-
London, 18 June- The Argentine Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Alicia Castro, concluded an official visit to Northern Ireland, where she was received by the deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. They agreed on stressing the importance of dialogue and called for ties between both parties to be strengthened. “The peoples of Argentina and Ireland share a rich common past; our country is home to the largest community of Irish descendents in Latin America; we are working to strengthen these ties and develop cooperation mechanisms to benefit both peoples”, the Ambassador stated.
Alicia Castro and Martin McGuinness went through their respective national and regional agendas, looked into the major challenges of the current global state of affairs, and the need to cooperate with a multipolar order to guarantee world peace.
McGuinness, the Sinn Féin party leader, expressed his party’s support for Argentina’s legitimate rights over the Malvinas Islands.
At the meeting, McGuinness spoke about the current political situation in Northern Ireland and outlined to the Argentine Ambassador the progress made since the Good Friday Agreement signed in 1998.
The Argentine Ambassador’s official visit included a working meeting with the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, William Hay, with whom agreement was reached on the importance of promoting closer collaboration between parliamentarians and coordinating visits for members of parliament to Buenos Aires and Belfast.
Alongside the political agenda, the Embassy’s team held meetings with representatives from the local business community regarding investment opportunities in Argentina.
Bringing the meeting to a close, Martin McGuinness, a football fan, said that he is "supporting" Argentina in the World Cup.
27 June 2014
The Embassy of Argentina in London kindly requests the circulation of the following Press Release.
Malvinas Question: strong support for Argentina
in the United Nations Decolonisation Committee
London, 27 June- Argentina received yesterday strong support at the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation (C24), which met yesterday in New York to discuss the Malvinas Question.
The Committee is the UN body that deals with the still pending colonial situations, including the dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the Malvinas Islands.
The Committee adopted by consensus yet another Resolution, reiterating “that the way to put an end to the special and particular colonial situation in the question of the Malvinas Islands is the peaceful and negotiated settlement of the dispute over sovereignty” between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom”.
The Resolution, sponsored by Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela, “regrets that, in spite of the widespread international support for a negotiation between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom that includes all aspects of the future of the Malvinas Islands, the implementation of the General Assembly resolutions on this question has not yet started”.
Foreign Minister Hector Timerman headed the Argentine delegation to the meeting in New York, which also included the Secretary for Malvinas Daniel Filmus, Governor of the Province of Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur, Fabiana Ríos and members of the National Congress representing the main political parties.
"If we give dialogue a chance, then we will have taken a huge step towards resolving this dispute", stated the Argentine Foreign Minister.
The Argentine Government once again reaffirms its firm commitment to dialogue and urges the UK Government to comply with the 42 UN resolutions calling upon the two Parties to resume negotiations in order to resolve by peaceful means the dispute over the sovereignty of the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas.
29 September 2014
In a speech delivered to over three hundred trade unionist delegates, Alicia Castro thanked the British unions for their support in fighting the vulture funds and in backing the call for dialogue on the Malvinas, praised the progress made by the region over recent years as well as the role of women in our continent.
Alicia Castro.
Ambassador of Argentina
to the United Kingdom
ALICIA CASTRO THANKED BRITISH UNIONS FOR SUPPORTING ARGENTINA AGAINST THE VULTURE FUNDS AND ON THE MALVINAS QUESTION
London, 29 September.- The Argentine Ambassador in the United Kingdom, Alicia Castro, participated as a keynote speaker in the UK Communication Workers Union’s (CWU) Annual Women’s Congress, held on Saturday in Leeds.
Invited by CWU Secretary General, Billy Hayes, to inspire and motivate women in the trade union and political life, Ambassador Castro shared her personal experience as a trade union leader, Member of Parliament and diplomat with an audience of over 300 delegates from across the country. “This is an opportunity to share experiences and take inspiration from our achievements. As women we need to empower ourselves and transmit that courage to others, because we will achieve nothing if we do not fight for it ”, she stated.
In her speech, Alicia Castro praised the British trade unions’ condemnation of the actions of the vulture funds and the support for dialogue on the Malvinas Question. “I want to welcome the support extended to my country in our fight against the vulture funds. These funds pose a threat not only to Argentina, but for all countries in the world and their capacity to stimulate their economy and create jobs”, the Argentine Ambassador stated. “But I would also like to give special thanks to the British trade unions for their solidarity with our call for dialogue over the Malvinas Question”, she added.
Alicia Castro mentioned gains that have been made in equality and social justice in Latin America, following what she defined as “a decade of revolutionary changes in the continent”. “In a globalised world with an economy in crisis, our continent can provide some lessons to the world”, she stated. “It is a region with well-established democracies and governments that defend political sovereignty, economic independence and social justice. It is, above all, a region of peace in which women play a key role.”
“We have courageous women leaders governing many of our continent’s progressive governments, fighting for equality, sovereignty and peace: Michelle Bachelet in Chile, Dilma Rousseff in Brazil, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in Argentina”, Ambassador Castro stated, concluding, “We do not believe in war as a means of resolving disputes, we do not believe in foreign interventions or armed violence as a way of imposing a given political or economic system”.
"Diálogos por Malvinas / Malvinas Matters", the new book launched by Malvinas Secretary Daniel Filmus and Ambassador Alicia Castro
London, October 28- Malvinas Islands Secretary Daniel Filmus visited London yesterday where, together with Argentine Ambassador Alicia Castro, they led the presentation of the book Malvinas Matters. Reflections and Actions from the Argentine Embassy in London, edited and published by this Embassy.
Malvinas Matters includes articles from Argentine and British authors who reflect on various aspects of the Malvinas question from their personal viewpoints.
In his presentation, Secretary Filmus noted the “increasing support from the international community, which is reflected not only in the UN resolutions calling for dialogue between the two nations, but also in the numerous declarations from regional and multilateral organisations, the most recent of which came from CELAC and the G77 plus China”.
Ambassador Castro assured that “one day Argentina will exercise sovereignty in the Malvinas Islands. Our task is to bring that day nearer. We know that when that day comes, the island’s inhabitants will have a better quality of life”.
Below you can find the impact in the British and Argentine press:
British press:
http://www.equities.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=newsdetail&id=109718
Argentine press:
http://www.clarin.com/politica/Malvinas-soberania-Reino_Unido-Argentina-petroleo_0_1237676614.html
http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/elpais/1-258511-2014-10-28.html
http://www.elancasti.com.ar/nacionales/2014/10/28/filmus-malvinas-239343.html