Falkland Islands To Hold Sovereignty Referendum
The Falkland Islands will hold a special referendum on its political status in the coming year in an effort to once and for all put to bed the dispute of sovereignty waged between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Argentina.
The announcement came from the islands government office on Tuesday, just ahead of the 30th anniversary of the end of the 74 day Argentinean occupation in 1982. They said they said they wanted to send a firm message to Argentina that the islanders want to remain British, after many recent demonstrations and sovereignty rhetoric from the Argentine government.
“I have no doubt that the people of the Falklands wish for the islands to remain a self governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. We certainly have no desire to be ruled by the government in Buenos Aires. A fact that is clear to anyone who has come to these islands and heard our views” Gavin Short, the chairman of the islands legislative assembly said. “We are aware that not everybody is able to come to these beautiful islands and see the reality for themselves. And the Argentine government deploys misleading rhetoric that wrongly implies that we have no strong views or even that we are being held hostage by the UK military. This is simply absurd”
The move has been backed by the UK prime minister David Cameron who said that it was absolutely right for the islanders to make their voices heard once again and that Britain would be resolute in supporting them. “Next years referendum will determine beyond doubt the views of the people of the Falklands. Britain will respect and defend their choice.” his statement read. “We look to all UN members to live up to their responsibilities under the UN charter and accept the islanders decision about how they want to live.”
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