ARGENTINE FALKLANDS PRESSURE SHOULD BE MET WITH RESOLVE

• You may have seen the recent news reports that the Argentine Government is placing restrictions on ship movements around the Falklands and some of the nearby islands following a decision to explore for oil near the Falklands.

The Conservative position is clear:

• The Falklands Islands are sovereign to the United Kingdom, and we condemn attempts by any foreign governments to assert otherwise.

• The islanders have every right to develop the natural resources of their islands and surrounding waters. It should be made very clear that the wholly legitimate search for oil in the Falkland’s waters will not be affected by unwarranted threats or interference from Argentina.

• Good relations with Argentina are desirable and welcome Argentina must be left in no doubt once again by the British Government that the islands but will remain British territory for as long as the islanders wish it. An increased British naval presence in the area would leave no doubt as to this position.

• The British Government should state clearly that no vessel operating within the territorial waters of the Falkland Islands will require any form of permit from any other country.

• An increased British naval presence in the area would leave no doubt as to the UK’s position on the sovereignty of the Falklands. This may just be a question of one more ship visiting more regularly in the region.