Cameron warns Argentina over Falklands
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David Cameron accused Argentina of “colonialism” in its policy towards the Falkland Islands on Wednesday, warning the government in Buenos Aires not to raise tensions with London on the forthcoming 30th anniversary of the conflict.
As the Argentine government adopts what Britain regards as increasingly aggressive rhetoric over Britain’s ownership of the islands, Mr Cameron declared that the UK firmly supported the self-determination of the Falklands’ 3,000 people.
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He also revealed at prime minister’s questions in the Commons that government and military chiefs fully reviewed the UK’s Falkland Islands policy at a meeting of Britain’s National Security Council on Tuesday.
“The key point is we support the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination,” he said. “What the Argentinians have been saying recently, I would argue, is actually far more like colonialism because these people want to remain British and the Argentinians want them to do something else.”
Tuesday’s NSC discussion on the Falklands was a comprehensive review of the UK’s military and diplomatic policy. Mr Cameron told MPs: “I am determined that we should ensure our defences are in order.”
The next few months are set to see tensions escalate between Britain and Argentina over the islands’ sovereignty. April will see the 30th anniversary of the islands’ invasion in 1982 by the then Argentine junta. Prince William is also set to be stationed on the islands this year where he will complete a helicopter rescue training course.
The government of Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, who was re-elected in a landslide last October, has made the future of the Falklands a centrepiece of its foreign policy. Last year, it won support for its claim over the islands from several regional bodies, including Mercosur, the trade body that links Argentina with Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil.
Demands from Argentina that the UK should enter talks about the future of the South Atlantic territory, along with the threat of a Latin American blockade of ships carrying the Falklands flag, have also pushed the issue right up the government’s list of diplomatic priorities.
Argentina’s fresh focus on the Falklands began under Mrs Kirchner’s late husband, former President Nestor Kirchner. Analysts say it has been reawakened partly to distract national attention from government spending cuts following a pre-election spending bonanza.
Mrs Kirchner has said the British “continue to be a crude colonial power in decline” and accused Britain of “taking Argentine resources” from the islands and the waters around them. Washington has called on Britain and Argentina to negotiate.
One of the central questions for UK military planners is whether Britain, which has seen significant cuts in military capability, can today stop an Argentine invasion.
According to military experts, the UK can only defend the island against invasion by flying significant numbers of forces and assets at high speed on to the Falkland islands’ airbase at Mount Pleasant.
This, however, exposes the UK to vulnerabilities, according to experts. If Argentine forces can speedily occupy the airbase, the UK cannot subsequently retake the islands. As a result, Britain’s defence strategy is dependent on a high level of predictive intelligence about any possible Argentine aggression.
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As the Argentine government adopts what Britain regards as increasingly aggressive rhetoric over Britain’s ownership of the islands, Mr Cameron declared that the UK firmly supported the self-determination of the Falklands’ 3,000 people.
High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article.
He also revealed at prime minister’s questions in the Commons that government and military chiefs fully reviewed the UK’s Falkland Islands policy at a meeting of Britain’s National Security Council on Tuesday.
“The key point is we support the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination,” he said. “What the Argentinians have been saying recently, I would argue, is actually far more like colonialism because these people want to remain British and the Argentinians want them to do something else.”
Tuesday’s NSC discussion on the Falklands was a comprehensive review of the UK’s military and diplomatic policy. Mr Cameron told MPs: “I am determined that we should ensure our defences are in order.”
The next few months are set to see tensions escalate between Britain and Argentina over the islands’ sovereignty. April will see the 30th anniversary of the islands’ invasion in 1982 by the then Argentine junta. Prince William is also set to be stationed on the islands this year where he will complete a helicopter rescue training course.
The government of Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, who was re-elected in a landslide last October, has made the future of the Falklands a centrepiece of its foreign policy. Last year, it won support for its claim over the islands from several regional bodies, including Mercosur, the trade body that links Argentina with Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil.
Demands from Argentina that the UK should enter talks about the future of the South Atlantic territory, along with the threat of a Latin American blockade of ships carrying the Falklands flag, have also pushed the issue right up the government’s list of diplomatic priorities.
Argentina’s fresh focus on the Falklands began under Mrs Kirchner’s late husband, former President Nestor Kirchner. Analysts say it has been reawakened partly to distract national attention from government spending cuts following a pre-election spending bonanza.
Mrs Kirchner has said the British “continue to be a crude colonial power in decline” and accused Britain of “taking Argentine resources” from the islands and the waters around them. Washington has called on Britain and Argentina to negotiate.
One of the central questions for UK military planners is whether Britain, which has seen significant cuts in military capability, can today stop an Argentine invasion.
According to military experts, the UK can only defend the island against invasion by flying significant numbers of forces and assets at high speed on to the Falkland islands’ airbase at Mount Pleasant.
This, however, exposes the UK to vulnerabilities, according to experts. If Argentine forces can speedily occupy the airbase, the UK cannot subsequently retake the islands. As a result, Britain’s defence strategy is dependent on a high level of predictive intelligence about any possible Argentine aggression.
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