Falklands Referendum: The Islanders Have Spoken

[ChillDoubt]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21750909

What I can't fathom is who were the 3 who voted against?

Or were there 3 jokers just having a laugh?

[ichkeria]

Britain's relationship with the EU is not really in any way comparable to the Falkland Islands' relationship with Argentina. So that's a bit naughty of you New Judge.

I'm sorry I mentioned Alex Salmond(!) It was really partly out of amusement at the very idea of holding this referendum. The outcome was never going to be in any doubt to the two nations to whom it mattered (namely the UK and Argentina) and the reaction of the latter is in turn very predictable. They don't care what the islanders care or think and this referendum is unlikely to make any difference to that.
I was once advised - mainly in jest I think - never to ask a question to which you already know the answer(!) Perhaps the main reason for the referendum is actually for the benefit of everyone else bar those two countries, as a useful reference for the future.

[pdq1]

We once considered handing over the sovereignty to the Argies many years ago. Whitehall even approved it!

///Transfer of Falklands sovereignty proposed
By Michael Frenchman
Britain is suggesting that the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands be transferred to Argentina, according to a report reaching London last night. The islands, which are in the South Atlantic some 450 miles off the coast of Argentina, have been the subject of a 100-year-old dispute between Argentina and Britain.

This is said to be one of a number of options which are being put to the islanders by Mr Nicholas Ridley, Minister of State in the Foreign Office, responsible for Latin America, who is now in the Falklands.

According to Air Commodore B. G. Frow, of the Falkland Island Office in London, Mr Ridley addressed a meeting of the islands��½ Sheepowners Association and told them that Argentina was getting impatient at the lack of progress in the attempts to solve the problem.

Mr Ridley suggested that it would be in the islanders��½ best interest if they agreed to a transfer of sovereignty. The other options are a 25-year freeze over the sovereignty issue, and a lease of the islands similar to that in force for Hongkong.

Air Commodore Frow said that the lease-back solution, which has. been raised before, is the one which is preferred by Whitehall.

A spokesman at the Foreign Office said last night that he could neither confirm nor deny the reports as they were awaiting a report themselves on the results of Mr Ridley��½s talk;s.

He continued: ��½There are no proposals as such. The Government has been considering since the April exploratory talks with the Argentine Republic how best to achieve a solution of this difficult problem which would be acceptable to all parties. Mr Ridley is now consulting the islanders to establish their views on a basis for further talks with the Argentines.��½

When asked if Britain intended to cede the sovereignty of the islands to Argentina the spokesman said they were looking for a solution which everyone could live with.

He added: ��½The important thing is the wishes of the islanders. If they agree, we can explore the possible basis for a solution. However, no solution can be finally agreed without the endorsement of the islanders and Parliament.��½

The island��½s Legislative Council is to meet to discuss the propositions. This is the first time that such a package of alternatives has been put to the islanders publicly.

During his meeting with the Sheepowners, Mr Ridley said that another option would be to break off talks altogether but he felt that this might antagonize the Argentine Government///

[Zeuhl]

pdq

your quoted (undated-'many years ago?) article actually demonstrates consistency in the UK position:

/there are no proposals as such... a solution of this difficult problem which would be acceptable to all parties. Mr Ridley is now consulting the islanders to establish their views on a basis for further talks with the Argentines...

When asked if Britain intended to cede the sovereignty of the islands to Argentina the spokesman said they were looking for a solution which everyone could live with...
The important thing is the wishes of the islanders./

As today then!

[emmie]

and further info

http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/112604

[emmie]

Lord Carrington says Britain will honour wishes of Falklanders..

that was then, and they still say no to Argentine rule.

[New Judge]

It was not my intention to compare the two relationships, ichkeria. (In fact I would contend that the Falklands have no relationship with Argentina). What I would seek to compare is Mr Cameron’s attitude towards the islanders’ wishes with regard to Argentina (which is admirable) with that of his attitude towards the UK electorate’s wishes with regard to the EU (which is despicable).

He states quite correctly that the wishes of the islanders to determine their own governance are paramount and supports the holding and the results of their referendum. However, knowing there is widespread disquiet in the UK with many aspects of our relationship with the EU, knowing that many people consider the transfer of powers to and interference by the EU in UK affairs makes many people think that their governance is not in their own hands, he denies the electorate any say in the matter. Instead they get a wooly undertaking that a referendum may be held at some indeterminate time in the future (provided the Tories win an overall majority in 2015), by when untold further damage will have been done.

That’s the difference I seek to make.