Britain Rejects US
Offer To Help UK And Argentina Resolve
Falklands’ Dispute
Downing Street has rejected an offer from
the United States to help the UK and
Argentina resolve their latest dispute over
the Falkland Islands. US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton made the offer after renewed
tensions were triggered with the beginning
of a round of exploratory oil drilling in
the Islands’ waters.
A spokesman for Gordon Brown said he
welcomed her comments but did not think her
direct involvement was necessary.
Argentina that claims sovereignty over the
Falklands/Malvinas has been angered by the
decision from several UK companies to drill.
Mrs Clinton said the row should be resolved
between the two, but “if we can be of any
help in facilitating such an effort, we
stand ready to do so”.
However Prime Minister Gordon Brown's
spokesman responded to the offer by saying:
“We don't think that's necessary.
”We welcome the support of the secretary of
state in terms of ensuring that we continue
to keep diplomatic channels open but there
is no need for that (direct involvement).“
He stressed that ”self-determination of
Islanders is the key issue“ and emphasised
that Britain and Argentina have a strong
ongoing working relationship.
However the spokesman also said the UK
believed the oil drilling was ”both the
right thing to do and is entirely
legitimate“.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband emphasised
the point, saying the drilling companies are
”wholly within their rights“ under
international law.
Mr Miliband told MPs at Commons question
time: ”The government has made it clear it
has no doubt about the UK's sovereignty of
the Falkland Islands.
“There can be no negotiations on the
sovereignty of the Falkland Islands unless
and until such time as the Falkland
Islanders so wish it and they have made
clear they have no such wish”.
”The companies are acting wholly within
their rights and wholly within the legality
of international law,“ he added.
Ms Clinton spoke about the situation when
she stopped in Buenos Aires to meet
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez as
part of a six-country tour of Latin America.
”What we have requested is mediation as a
friendly country of both Argentina and the
United Kingdom“ Mrs Kirchner was quoted by
the Buenos Aires media.
After the meeting, Mrs Clinton said the US
wanted to encourage dialogue but was not
offering to act in a mediating role.
Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana last
week claimed that by drilling in the
disputed waters, Britain was a committing a
unilateral act contrary to international
law.
He asked United Nations Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon to bring the UK into talks over
the sovereignty of the islands.
The UK government says the Falklands have a
”legitimate right” to develop an oil
industry within their waters. (BBC) |
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