US remarks on Malvinas disturb Britain

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/226163.html

US officials’ remarks on the Malvinas (Falkland) islands have disturbed the British press as Britain is concerned over any damage to its Special Relationship with the US.

US Acting Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson’s remarks about the issue of Las Malvinas have been another setback to the British government as it refuses to engage in negotiations asking Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon to rule out the possibility of negotiating over the islands.

Jacobson called for a diplomatic solution to the issue of sovereignty over the Malvinas islands saying Britain and Argentina are equal partners in the eyes of the US.

“Our position remains the same. This is a problem between two of our partners. We do not want to change our position...We prefer that both countries negotiate a diplomatic solution in that matter,” said Jacobson in Lima, Peru, as she is on a tour to Peru and Argentina.

This comes while the British press has not welcomed Jacobson’s call for equality as UK officials are already concerned about any damage to the Special Relationship.

Nile Gardiner, an aide to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, lashed out at the US stance on the issue saying the US is not aware of “the difference between Great Britain and Argentina.”

Gardiner also raised concerns over why the US “fails to express any support whatsoever for the UK, and remains silent” on the issue.

Furthermore, last month, the US Department of State released a statement on its official website calling for a negotiated solution to the dispute.

The department’s reference to the islands as Malvinas, while Britain insists on calling the archipelago “the Falklands,” came as another slap in the face of the Special Relationship.

This comes against the backdrop of the US president Barak Obama’s describing France as the closest ally of the US.

Moreover, earlier this month, The Daily Telegraph revealed that the US had cast a skeptical eye on Britain’s military capability refusing to let Britain take part in its show of strength when a flotilla of US vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The British newspaper described the move as “humiliating” for the British establishment.

UK rules out negotiation over Malvinas

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/225772.html

Tension between Britain and Argentina over the disputed Malvinas Islands has reached new heights after British government once again ruled out the possibility of getting involved in further negotiations.

Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner, who has repeatedly insisted on negotiations, condemned Britain for militarizing the dispute over the islands and announced that she would make a formal complaint to the United Nations over the issue.

Kirchner stressed that the deployment of an heir to the throne, the Duke of Cambridge, to the islands along with the presence of an advanced warship destroyer HMS Dauntless was considered as “a grave danger to international security.”

Meanwhile, British government defended its right to send a warship to the coasts of the “occupied” Malvinas (Falklands) islands, and claimed it was not militarizing the archipelago.

“We are not militarising the South Atlantic. Our defensive posture in the Falkland Islands remains unchanged,” a Downing Street spokesman said.

“The people of the Falklands choose to be British. Their right to self determination is a principle that's enshrined in the UN charter,” he added.

As the 30th anniversary of the 1982 war approaches, the dispute over the territory is heating up. The British government is attempting to prevent any counter-move taken by Argentina to reclaim “its stolen islands.”

UK government’s constant military threats have also raised tensions among the British politicians. UK shadow defense secretary Jim Murphy repeated government’s colonialism, saying, “It is for the UK and UK only to decide which forces to send overseas, when and where.”

He accused Buenos Aires of misrepresenting Britain’s routine deployments in order to serve its own diplomatic ends. Insisting there was no evidence to justify the Argentine government’s actions, since did not demonstrate the will of the islands’ residents.

"We will support the Government as long as they support the Falkland people's right to self-determination and the defense and security of the islands,” he added.

However, Peter Slowe, former policy adviser to Tony Blair, urged the Tory-led government to make peace with Argentina.

“The solution to the Falklands was always - and still is - to cede Argentina sovereignty while ensuring by treaty the British way of life for the tiny local population in a local democracy and sharing oil or other resources with Argentina,” said Slowe.

Britain resorts to nuclear bullying against Argentina

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/224831.html

Britain is apparently violating its UN commitment by using nuclear weapons on non-nuclear armed states, after Prime Minister David Cameron has personally authorized the deployment of an advanced nuclear submarine to the Malvinas Islands amid escalating tensions with Argentina.

British media reported that the UK navy was deploying one of its most sophisticated Trafalgar-class submarines to the South Atlantic in order to provide an outer barrier of invisible protection for the islands and prevent any possible counter-move taken by Argentina to reclaim its occupied islands.

Considerably, the heavily-armed sub set to be in the islands' waters by April, as the 30th anniversary of a war between the two countries over the disputed territory approaches.

Analysts regard the deployment of the vessel as the third war signal by the British government to Argentina, as it formerly sent an heir to throne, the Duke of Cambridge, and an advanced warship destroyer HMS Dauntless to the region to secure its last colony in South America.

Britain's third controversial decision would trigger bitter response from Argentina government and the Argentinean nationals, as it would remind the people of the Argentine flagship General Belgrano, that was sunk by a British submarine during the 74-day war with the loss of 323 sailors.

It is now believed that Britain's plan to militarize the dispute over the islands would lead to more deterioration in the already fraught relationships between the two nations.

While burning Union Flags on Friday after Prince William arrived in Malvinas for a six-week deployment, Argentinean protesters promised to target different UK business every week to show that the members of the colonialist country are not welcomed in Latin America.

Analysts wonder if the UK government would again consider the submarine deployment as a "routine operational deployment" just as they claimed about their previous controversial steps.

Ministry of Defense (MoD) refused to give further comments over the move, with an MoD spokeswoman only said, "We do not comment on submarine deployments."

The submarine is predicted to be either HMS Tireless or HMS Turbulent, which was active last year during Libya war and other regions in the Middle East during the crisis. It is reported that the vessel is equipped with 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles and Spearfish torpedoes, with 148 members of crew.

MoD sources also insisted that a team of Spanish-speaking communications technicians will be on the vessel in order to control maritime radio transmissions in the region.

Retired Admiral Richard Heaslip, who was the chief of the Defense Staff's office during the war, admired the deployment of a submarine to “potential flashpoint.”

“The Argentines had a good navy in 1982. But after we got a nuclear submarine down there they went back to port and never dared venture out,” he said.

Argentineans protest arrival of Prince Williams on Malvinas

Britain's Prince William

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/224586.html

Demonstrators take to the streets of Argentina's capital to protest the arrival of Britain's Prince William on the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands.

Hundreds of angry protesters gathered in front of the HSBC Bank branch in the capital Buenos Aires on Thursday, throwing objects at British bank to show their fury at Prince's presence on the archipelago.

Earlier in the day, a group calling itself Quebracho, also staged a march in the city and demanded that their government cut trade links with Britain.

Esteche Fernando, the leader of the group, accused the UK of "imperialism," saying, "This sort of reigniting of the Malvinas dispute is more about hiding the financial crisis and economic suffering."

Britain's Duke of Cambridge arrived in Malvinas Islands for a six-week deployment as a Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot.

His deployment came as a war of words with Argentina over the territory intensified.

Buenos Aires government is furious that the Prince has been sent to the islands as the 30th anniversary of the 1982 was between Argentina and Britain nears.

"The Argentinean people regret that the royal heir is coming to the soil of the homeland with the uniform of the conqueror and not with the wisdom of a statesman who works in the service of peace and dialogue between nations," Argentine foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Moreover, British Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday that it will send its most advanced warship, destroyer HMS Dauntless, to the islands.

Britain and Argentina fought a 74-day bloody war in 1982 over the islands which ended with the British side claiming victory over Argentineans.

Tensions between the two countries have escalated since 2010 when London authorized oil prospecting around the islands.

Malvinas Islands, located about 485 kilometers off Argentina's coast, has been "occupied" by Britain for over 180 years.

However, Buenos Aires claims sovereignty over the territory as it controlled the islands prior to its colonization by the British.

UK first war signal arrives in Malvinas

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/224541.html

Britain's Duke of Cambridge has arrived in the “occupied” Malvinas Islands for a six-week deployment as a search and rescue pilot while wearing the uniform of the “conqueror.”

His deployment came as a war of words with Argentina over the territory intensified. Buenos Aires strongly condemned Britain's “provocative” move to post Prince William as a member of UK armed forces to the islands.

"The Argentinean people regret that the royal heir is coming to the soil of the homeland with the uniform of the conqueror and not with the wisdom of a statesman who works in the service of peace and dialogue between nations," Argentine foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Moreover, British Ministry of Defense (MoD) also announced on Tuesday that it will send its most advanced warship, destroyer HMS Dauntless, to the islands. The move was considered by a navy source as giving the Argentina government “serious pause” for thinking about their claims, since the warship could “shoot down Argentine fighters as soon as they take off from their bases."

Analysts believe that Britain's controversial decisions to deploy an heir to throne and a sophisticated warship to the region were apparent war signals to Argentina, as the British government has been seeking to militarize the dispute over the occupied islands.

Analysts also stress that Argentina's bitter response to the deployment of the Duke was because they could remember his uncle Prince Andrew, also a helicopter pilot, who flew missions during 74-day war in 1982 that left 650 Argentines and about 300 British soldiers dead.

Malvinas, situated about 250 nautical miles from Argentina, has been a British colony for over 180 years.

However, Argentina also claimed sovereignty as it controlled the islands before, and the two countries fought a destructive 74-day war over the islands in 1982.

Britain to send war message to Argentina

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/224185.html

In a bid to secure its last outpost in South America, the British government is to deploy its most sophisticated warship to the occupied Falkland Islands to give a clear war message to Argentina.

The Ministry of Defense revealed that destroyer HMS Dauntless will sail to the South Atlantic in order to substitute frigate HMS Montrose in the coming weeks. It was claimed that the deployment was long planned but the decision is evidently put in practice when a war of words between Argentina and Britain over the disputed Falkland islands (known as Las Malvinas to Argentina) has intensified.

Tory MP Julian Brazier, who is also a defense select committee's member, stressed that Britain's move will send a “powerful and timely message” to the Argentina government that UK “means business when it comes to defending the Falklands.”

While repeating UK government's colonial policy, Brazier said, "These islanders want to remain British and any oil or gas found in its waters will be British.”

The islands, located about 250 nautical miles from Argentina, have been a British colony for over 180 years. However, Argentina also claimed sovereignty as it controlled the islands before, and the two countries fought a destructive 74-day war over the islands in 1982.

As 30th anniversary of the Argentina-Britain war nears, the dispute over the territory is heating up once again. The British government is attempting to prevent any counter-move taken by Argentina to reclaim its occupied islands.

Jeremy Browne, Foreign Office minister in charge of Latin America, will travel to the islands in June to attend the anniversary of capturing the islands from Argentina. It was formerly announced that the Duke of Cambridge Prince William will also be posted to spend six weeks on the islands as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot next month. Buenos Aires described the move as being “provocative.”

The destroyer is a £1billion warship equipped with supersonic Sea Viper missiles, radar and an air defense system, being able of shooting a cricket ball moving at three times the speed of sound out of the sky.

A Navy source said that the warship could “shoot down Argentine fighters as soon as they take off from their bases," insisting the deployment would give the Argentina government “serious pause” for thinking about their claims.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary William Hague underplayed the deployment of the warship, claiming they were routine moves, but warning “the Royal Navy packs a considerable punch.”

UK cannot confront Argentina

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223813.html

A British senior military figure says Britain would not be able to confront Argentina over Las Malvinas, sending a clear signal to British officials to stop boasting of UK's military capability.

Former head of the British army General Sir Michael Jackson said that it would be impossible for the British military to confront Argentina in case a military confrontation takes place over the sovereignty of the Malvinas islands.

“What if an Argentinean force was able to secure the Mount Pleasant airfield? Then our ability to recover the islands now would be just about impossible,” said Jackson in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph.

Jackson's comments came after Britain's Minister for International Security Strategy Gerald Howarth accused Argentina of “sabre-rattling” threatening Buenos Aires with a military response.

The comments were a response to Argentinean President Christina Fernandez who hit out at British Prime Minister David Cameron for accusing her country of colonialism.

“In this upside down world, in my absence I've heard they were calling as colonialists,” said Fernandez.

However, Fernandez underlined the importance of diplomacy and negotiations over the disputed islands as she promised the Argentinean people to rigorously work and have Britain sit at the table of negotiation.

“We will continue claiming our Islands with far more political, juridical, and diplomatic rigour and with the so many supports that we are receiving. But it's good to remember that this is not an overnight achievement, it has taken years,” said Fernandez.

Proud of their victory in the 74-day war in 1982, British officials have been provocative as the country's Ministry of Defence announced a contingency plan to increase their military presence on the island.

Moreover, Duke of Cambridge Prince William is supposed to spend six weeks on the islands as a search-and-rescue co-pilot.

Despite the provocative line taken up by Britain, its military capability has been seriously questioned as the Harrier fleet, Britain's aircraft carriers that secured her victory in 1982, is sold to the US Marine Corps.

Argentina raps British PM over Malvinas

Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223113.html

Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner has criticized British Prime Minister David Cameron for what she called Britain's efforts to portray her country as "violent" over the occupied Falkland Islands.

"They are trying to paint us as bad guys, or violent guys and really, that is not who we are," Kirchner said in a speech on Wednesday after about three weeks of medical leave for thyroid surgery.

The criticism came after the British premier described the South American nation's desire to reclaim the islands (known as Las Malvinas in Argentina) as “colonialism.”

“The United Nations Committee on Decolonization has 16 cases open on places that remain colonies, of which 10 are British colonies, and one of the best known is our beloved Malvinas islands," Kirchner stressed.

She said her country would keep using diplomacy to reclaim control over the islands.

“Our armed forces only take part in peacekeeping missions. And that is a political decision of democratic governments since 1983," said the Argentine president.

Tensions between the two counties have escalated since 2010 when London authorized oil prospecting around the islands.

Meanwhile, Argentine protesters marched on the British embassy in Buenos Aires on Friday as the 30th anniversary of the 74-day Argentina-Britain war over Malvinas nears.

Malvinas, located about 250 nautical miles from Argentina, has been occupied by the British for over 180 years. However, Argentina claims sovereignty over the territory as it controlled the islands prior to its colonization by the British.

Peru backs Argentina over Malvinas

Falklands/Malvinas Islands (file photo).

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223010.html

Peru says it supports Argentina against Britain over the disputed Malvinas islands, which Britain claims as its own, calling it Falklands.

The Peruvian Foreign Minister, Rafael Roncagliolo, on Friday asserted that sovereignty Argentina claims over the Malvinas Islands, saying that "The recovery of Malvinas Islands on part of Argentina is a fact that joins countries like Pero, which takes ahead an integration policy.”

Roncagliolo reiterated “It [the Malvinas islands] is part of our identity; there is a piece of colonial territory in these islands that still remains in South America".

The Peruvian minister further said that if Argentina requested, his country is ready to take action towards Argentina's case.

Britain on Tuesday reiterated its tough stance over the disputed islands, with the foreign secretary warning South American countries not to 'collude' with Argentina to reclaim its occupied territory.

Britain's response came after the South American Mercosur -- including Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay -- agreed to ban boats sailing under the Falklands flag from docking at certain ports.

Malvinas, located about 250 nautical miles from Argentina, has been a British colony for over 180 years. However, Argentina also claims sovereignty over the territory as it controlled the islands prior to its colonization by the British. Moreover, the two countries fought a destructive 74-day war over the islands in 1982.

US lets Britain down over Malvinas

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/222542.html

The US has called for negations between Argentina and Britain over the sovereignty of Las Malvinas as the British media has considered the move “knifing Britain in the Back.”

The US Department of State has released a statement on its official website expressing the US government's position on the Malvinas Islands saying the issue “needs to be worked out directly between the governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom.”

“We encourage both parties to resolve their differences through dialogue in normal diplomatic channels,” added the statement.

The statement is posted as the British government has claimed that any kind of negotiations is unacceptable as it considers sovereignty over the islands as its right because Britain took the islands by force in the Argentina-Britain war in 1982.

Furthermore, the US government's reference to the islands as Malvinas was another blow to the British government as British officials refer to Las Malvinas as “the Falklands.”

This is not the first time that the US lets British officials down over the disputed islands. Last year in June, the American government officially agreed with a “draft declaration on the question of the Malvinas Islands” proposed by Buenos Aires which called for negotiations over the sovereignty of the islands.

Moreover, in 2010, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for negotiations between the two countries, which the British press described as “a slap in the face of Britain.”

The issue of Malvinas islands has heated up recently as British Prime Minister David Cameron described Argentina's desire to reclaim the islands as “colonialism” and approved contingency plans by Britain's Ministry of Defense to increase the country's military presence on the islands.

The British government's acts have infuriated the Argentinean nation as protesters gathered outside the British embassy in Buenos Aires on Friday 20 January and burned the flag of the United Kingdom.

Argentina responds to UK PM

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/221993.html

Argentina has hit back at British Prime Minister David Cameron's ridiculous remarks describing the country's desire to reclaim Las Malvinas as “colonialism.”

In his ridiculous remarks which reeked of a bid aimed at distorting history, Cameron accused Buenos Aires of “colonialism” as he told British MPs: “I would argue that what the Argentineans have said recently is far more like colonialism, as these people want to remain British and the Argentineans want them to do something else.”

His remarks angered Argentina's officials as the country's interior minister, Florencio Randazzo, described them as “absolutely offensive.”

“It is absolutely offensive especially in the case of Britain. History clearly shows what its attitude to the world was,” said Randazzo.

Furthermore, Cameron approved “contingency plans” by Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the swift deployment of British troops in Las Malvinas. The approval guarantees the rapid increase in Britain's military presence on the islands.

The British government has already received a severe blow as the Mercosur members, including Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, imposed a trade ban on ships from Malvinas carrying the British flag.

However, as the 30th anniversary of the Argentina-Britain war in 1982 nears, the British government has resorted to provocative acts.

The Duke of Cambridge Prince William is to spend six weeks on the islands as a search-and-rescue co-pilot. Argentina has described the decision as provocative

London 'rewrites history' on Malvinas

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/221875.html

London has ironically accused Argentina of “colonialism” in relation to Las Malvinas (the Falklands) while it was Britain that formally colonized the Argentinean-owned South Atlantic islands in 1892.

“What the Argentineans have been saying recently I would argue is actually far more like colonialism because these people want to remain British and the Argentineans want them to do something else," British Prime Minister David Cameron told MPs.

This is while Britain occupied the oil-rich archipelago in 1833 and has since kept a tight hold on its some 3,000 islands despite strong protest from Argentina, which also launched a failed military offensive to retake the territory in 1982.

Argentina's case for ownership of the islands is almost clear to even Britain's so-called closest ally, the US, and London is finding itself increasingly isolated on the matter.

At a meeting of the General Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in June 2010, Washington went out of its way to side with anti-American leaders including Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua to endorse a declaration calling for negotiations on the question of Las Malvinas.

London officials were dealt another blow in December 2011 when the leading South American trade union, Mercosur, imposed a trade ban on all ships from Malvinas flying the British flag.

The move was a clear message to London that Argentina's neighbors support its bid to retake the islands and that Britain cannot provide for an island some 7,700 miles off its shores.

Now as the 30th anniversary of Argentina-Britain 74-day war in 1982 approaches, London is again talking of military muscle to 'protect' the colony.

Cameron coupled his Commons' address and colonialism libel with reassurances that his government will protect the Malvinas militarily.

However, Argentinean officials who have been urging talks on the future of Malvinas, said Cameron's remarks are “totally offensive.”

Argentinean Foreign Minister Hector Timerman, for one, hit back at Cameron saying he wants to rewrite the history adding Britain is “a synonym for colonialism.”

"Evidently at a time when only scraps of colonialism linger, Great Britain ... has decided to rewrite history," Timerman told the state news agency.

Britain has been clinging to a single excuse to continue its illegal rule over the archipelago that is local residents want it to remain part of Britain.

That claim was seriously undermined when a local resident James Peck gave up his British citizenship to receive an Argentine birth certificate from the hands of the Argentinean president a few months ago.

The move by James Peck gave rise to speculations that more islanders could be unhappy about the British rule despite London's claims that they are proud of being British citizens.

Brazil backs Argentina over Malvinas

Brazil's Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota (L) welcomes Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague at the Itamaraty palace in Brasilia, January 18.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/221860.html

Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota says all Latin American nations back Argentina against Britain over the disputed Malvinas islands, which Britain claims as its own, calling it Falklands.

Latin America and the Caribbean "back Argentine sovereignty over the Malvinas and back the UN resolutions calling on the Argentine and British governments to hold talks on the issue," Patriota said in a meeting with British Foreign Secretary William Hague in Brazil.

Patriota added that Britain knows "Brazil and Unasur (Union of South American Nations) support Argentinean sovereignty over the Malvinas."

As the 30th anniversary of the war between Britain and Argentina over the Malvinas Islands nears, the dispute over the territory is heating up once again.

Britain on Tuesday reiterated its tough stance over the disputed islands, with the foreign secretary warning South American countries not to 'collude' with Argentina to reclaim its occupied territory.

Britain's response came after the South American Mercosur -- including Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay -- agreed to ban boats sailing under the Falklands flag from docking at certain ports.

William Hague expressed Britain's opposition to the port ban, describing Argentina's efforts to reclaim its territory as “illegal.”

Hague also said that the British government would resist any measures that could lead to economic or other pressures for the islanders.

However, Argentina has charged that Britain is breaching international laws, insisting that UK's oil-drilling operations there represent a clear instance of infringement on international laws.

Malvinas, located about 250 nautical miles from Argentina, has been a British colony for over 180 years. However, Argentina also claims sovereignty over the territory as it controlled the islands prior to its colonization by the British. Moreover, the two countries fought a destructive 74-day war over the islands in 1982.

Argentina renews claim on Malvinas

The UK occupied Malvinas Islands on January 3, 1833.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/219921.html

On the 179 anniversary of the British occupation of the Malvinas islands, Argentina's Foreign Ministry has once again underscored the Latin American country's sovereignty over the archipelago.

“On January 1833, the Malvinas Islands were occupied by British forces that evicted the Argentine authorities and inhabitants that were legitimately living there,” Argentina's Foreign Ministry stated in a communiqué.

Following the eviction of Argentine people, British citizens were migrated to the islands.

Britain and Argentina fought a devastating 74-day war in 1982 on the islands that ended with Argentine forces withdrawing from the archipelago.

During the clash, 649 Argentine forces, 255 British troops, and 3 civilians, caught in the crossfire, lost their lives.

Britain illegally occupied the islands, located 250 nautical miles off Argentinean coasts, in 1833.

“This illegitimate action is being increased by the presence of a military base established in the South Atlantic,” the statement said.

The communiqué added that the “region has unanimously rejected the military presence of the British in the South Atlantic and has showed its concern over the unilateral activities.”

Argentina's Foreign Ministry called for the resumption of negotiations with the UK to find a solution to the dispute and end “an anachronistic situation, incompatible with the evolution of the current post colonial world.”