Will Port Stanley Become Port Margaret?

Our heroine: Margaret Thatcher with troops in the Falklands in 1982. One islander said: 'We owe everything to her'

Will Port Stanley Become Port Margaret? Islanders Join MPs In Pushing To Rename Falklands Capital In Honour Of Their Liberator -- Daily Mail

* Idea is backed by MPs and attracting considerable support on the islands
* Proposal likely to trigger fury in Argentina, which has been questioning the sovereignty of the Falklands
* Falklands residents call her a 'hero' and 'part of history'

Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, should be renamed Port Margaret as a tribute to Baroness Thatcher, senior figures in the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence are suggesting.

The idea is being backed by MPs and is also attracting considerable support on the islands, which Lady Thatcher was responsible for liberating in 1982.

The proposal is likely to trigger fury in Argentina, which has been ratcheting up the rhetoric over the sovereignty of the Falklands around the 30th anniversary of the conflict.

Read more ....

My Comment: A fitting tribute .... but the Argentinians will disagree.

Falkland Islanders Vote To Remain British 99.8%

Falkland Islanders Vote Overwhelmingly To Keep British Rule -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Residents of the Falkland Islands voted almost unanimously to stay under British rule in a referendum aimed at winning global sympathy as Argentina intensifies its sovereignty claim.

The official count on Monday showed 99.8 percent of islanders voted in favor of remaining a British Overseas Territory in the two-day poll, which was rejected by Argentina as a meaningless publicity stunt. There only three "no" votes out of about 1,500 cast.


"Surely this must be the strongest message we can get out to the world," said Roger Edwards, one of the Falklands' assembly's eight elected members.

"That we are content, that we wish to retain the status quo ... with the right to determine our own future and not become a colony of Argentina."

Pro-British feeling is running high in the barren and blustery islands that lie off the tip of Patagonia, at the southern end of South America. Turnout was 92 percent among the 1,649 Falklands-born and long-term residents registered to vote.

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More News On The Falklands Referendum

Falklands referendum: Voters choose to remain UK territory -- BBC
Falklands Vote Shows 99.8 Pct Want to Stay British -- New York Times/AP
UK pleased Falkland Islanders vote to stay British -- CNN
Falklands Islands Vote to Remain under British Control -- Voice of America
Falklands Vote to Stay With U.K. -- Wall Street Journal
Falklands Vote Overwhelmingly to Retain British Status -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Falkland Islanders Vote to Remain Part of Britain -- New York Times
Argentina urged to respect Falklands mandate -- Al Jazeera
Emphatic referendum vote sees Falklands say Yes to Britain -- The Telegraph
Falklands: Cameron says Argentina should respect vote -- BBC
Falkland Islands: respect overwhelming 'yes' vote, Cameron tells Argentina -- The Guardian
Cameron: Argentina must respect wishes of Falkland Islanders -- The Telegraph
Falkland Islanders celebrate yes vote in referendum – video -- The Guardian
Only three Falkland islanders vote against British rule -- Irish Times
Is the Falkland Islands’ Referendum a Farce or a Landmark Moment? -- Kharunya Paramaguru, Time

U.S. Secretary Of State John Kerry Avoids The Issue Of The Falklands In London Talks

John Kerry Refuses To Back Britain In Battle Over Falklands As New US Secretary Of State Starts First Global Tour In London -- Daily Mail

* US Secretary of State chooses Britain as first stop on 11-day tour
* Holds talks with David Cameron and William Hague
* Hails prospect of progress on Syria and Middle East peace process, but refuses to get drawn into dispute over Falkland Islands

New US Secretary of State John Kerry today refused to back Britain's stance in the battle with Argentina over the future of the Falklands, after starting his first overseas trip in London.

Mr Kerry pointedly refused to support next month's referendum among Falklanders on whether they want to remain British.

The issue is thought to have been raised by Foreign Secretary William Hague after Mr Kerry held talks in Downing Street with David Cameron.

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Update: John Kerry ducks Falkland Islands issue during London visit -- The Telegraph

My Comment: Catherine Mayer tries to put this issue in some perspective. As to what is my take .... a typical wishy-washy position from someone who wants to alienate no-one, but ends up disappointing our allies.

Update: Kerry’s first overseas trip off to shaky start -- The Cable/Foreign Policy

Argentina: Falklands Will Be Under Our Control Within 20 Years

Argentina's foreign minister Héctor Timerman gestures as he arrives at the Houses of Parliament on Monday. Photograph: Chris Helgren/Reuters

Argentina 'Will Control Falklands Within 20 Years' -- BBC

The Falkland Islands will be back under Argentine control within "20 years", the country's foreign minister Hector Timerman has said.

On a visit to London, he claimed "not one" other nation supported UK sovereignty of the Falklands.

Speaking to the Guardian and Independent, Mr Timerman said Britain had "occupied" the islands for "access to oil and natural resources".

A referendum on the Falkland Islands political status will be held in March.

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More News On The Argentina - U.K. Dispute Over The Falklands

Falklands will be under our control within 20 years, says Argentina -- The Guardian
'Falklands Islands will be ours within 20 years': Argentina claims 'fanatical' Britons will be forced to hand disputed colony back -- Daily Mail
'No such thing as Falkland islanders', says Argentine foreign minister -- The Telegraph
Argentina's foreign minister Hector Timerman says 'no such thing as Falkland Islander' -- Global Post
Oil Fuels British-Argentine Standoff Over Falklands -- Voice of America
Oil fuels British-Argentine standoff over Falklands -- Reuters
Argentina must respect the rights of Falkland Islanders -- Dick Sawle, The Guardian

British Military Prepares Contingency Plans For Defending The Falkland Islands

Defence Chiefs Prepare New Plans To Defend Falkland Islands -- The Telegraph

Defence chiefs have drawn up new contingency plans designed to prevent hostile action by Argentina towards the Falkland Islands.

A series of military options are being actively considered as the war of words over the islands intensifies.

It is understood that additional troops, another warship and extra RAF Typhoon combat aircraft could be dispatched to the region ahead of the March referendum on the Falkland Islands’ future.

The options being proposed by planners at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north-west London are also said to include a “show of force” such as conducting naval exercises in the South Atlantic.

These could involve the deployment of the Royal Navy’s Response Task Force Group, a flotilla comprising destroyers, a frigate, a submarine and commandos.

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My Comment: Argentina is not going to invade as long as men like this are sent to defend the islands.

Falkland War Hero Commits Suicide Hours After Argentina Reignited Hostilities

Ex Para Stephen Hood, pictured here drinking after the battle of Goose Green, has been found dead in his car

Iconic Hero Of Goose Green Kills Himself Hours After Argentina Reignites Hostilities: 'Sabre-Rattling' May Have Triggered Para's Post-Traumatic Stress -- Daily Mail

* Ex-Para who featured Goose Green victory footage found dead in car
* Stephen Hood died just hours after row over islands reignited
* His widow has now urged politicians to stop their sabre-rattling

A Falklands War hero distressed by recent flare-ups in hostilities between Britain and Argentina has been found dead in his car.

Ex-Para Stephen Hood – who featured in iconic film footage celebrating victory at the battle of Goose Green – died just hours after Argentine president Cristina de Kirchner reignited the sovereignty row over the islands. Yesterday, his distraught widow Carol urged politicians to stop their sabre-rattling for the sake of traumatised veterans.

She told The Mail on Sunday: ‘What do the politicians achieve with their to-ing and fro-ing? Nothing. They should let it lie and leave it to the people of the Falkland Islands to determine their future.

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My Comment: Our prayers are with his family and loved ones.

British PM: UK Will Fight For The Falklands

UK Will Fight For The Falklands, Says David Cameron -- The Guardian

Prime minister emphasises government's strong resolve after Argentinian president ramped up claims on sovereignty

David Cameron has insisted Britain will fight to keep the Falklands as Argentina ramps up the rhetoric against UK sovereignty.

The prime minister said the government's resolve was "extremely strong" and stressed the islands' military defences, days after Argentina's president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner accused Britain of colonialism.

Fernández claimed her country had been forcibly stripped of "Las Malvinas" in an open letter to Cameron, which was printed as an advertisement in the Guardian on Thursday.

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More News On The British PM's Remarks That The U.K. Will Defend The Falkland Islands

Would we fight for the Falklands again? Of course we would: Cameron says Britain is prepared for another conflict with Argentina if islands are threatened -- Daily Mail
PM: We’ll go to war if the Argies invade -- The Sun
Cameron would use force over Falklands -- The Australian/AFP
Cameron warning to Argentina: We'd send second task force to keep Falklands -- Mirror
UK will fight to keep the Falklands – PM Cameron -- RT
UK Will Fight To Keep The Falklands, Says PM Cameron -- Eurasia Review
Argentina Repudiates U.K.’s Cameron on Falkland Islands Defense -- Bloomberg Businessweek

British Prime Minister David Cameron: 'We'll Do Everything To Protect The Falklands'

'We'll Do Everything To Protect The Falklands': Cameron refuses to rule out military Action After Desperate Argentine President Places Newspaper Ads On '180th Anniversary Of Colonialism' -- Daily Mail

* Open letter appears in the Guardian and Independent newspapers
* Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner says UK 'stole' the islands
* Outburst marks the anniversary of the islands becoming British territory

David Cameron refused to rule out military action yesterday as he rebuked Argentina over its grab for the Falkland Islands.

The Prime Minister vowed the UK would ‘do everything’ to protect the interests of the territory after Buenos Aires demanded he hand power to them.

He said the sovereignty of the Falklands would be up to those who lived there when they hold a referendum in March.

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More News On The Falklands

Burn us Aires: Argies set fire to British flag and Sun ad -- The Sun
Falklands row: Sun takes out advert in Argentinian newspaper -- The Guardian
Fury in Argentina after British tabloid places advert in Buenos Aires newspaper saying ‘Hands off the Falklands’ -- Daily Mail
Britain's top tabloid scolds Argentina over the Falklands -- Reuters
Britain, Argentina sparring again over the Falklands -- Washington Post
British Newspaper the Sun To Argentina’s President: ‘Hands Off’ the Falklands -- Times
Argentina Renews Dispute With Britain Over Falklands -- Voice of America
UK newspaper hits back over Argentinian claim to Falklands -- CNN

Tensions Over The Falklands Evident At The G20

David Cameron Refuses Falklands Letter From Cristina Kirchner -- The Guardian

PM describes Argentinian president's attempt to force A4 envelope into his hand during G20 summit as 'media stunt'

David Cameron and the Argentinian president Cristina Kirchner were involved in bruising verbal exchanges on the margins of the G20 on Tuesday as she tried to force a package into his hand marked "Un Malvinas".

Cameron refused to take the package believing, according to his aides, that she was involved in "a media stunt" – a belief strengthened by the presence of TV cameras filming the incident.

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More News On British-Argentina Tensions Over The Falklands At The G20 Summit

Falklands Islands dispute leads to awkward encounter at G-20 summit in Mexico -- Washington Post/AP
David Cameron confronts Fernandez over Falkland Islands -- BBC
Tensions over Falklands surface at G20 summit -- Reuters
PM Rejects Argentine Falklands Documents -- SKY News
British, Argentinian leaders clash over Falklands -- AFP
Pictured: The moment David Cameron refuses to accept letter marked 'Malvinas' from Argentine president as she confronts him over Falklands at G20 meeting -- Daily Mail
David Cameron and Argentinian President face off over Falklands at G20 summit -- The Telegraph

Major Gas Reserve Discovered Off The Falklands

The greater the number of discoveries around the Falkland Islands, the more economic it could become to develop the necessary infrastructure to extract the reserves. Photo: Reuters

Borders & Southern Makes 'Significant' Gas Discovery Off Falkland Islands -- The Telegraph

Explorer Borders & Southern has discovered "significant" gas condensate reserves south of the Falkland Islands, opening up a new and controversial oil and gas basin.

Shares in the Aim-listed company fell 32pc, to 89.5p, however, having almost doubled in value last week, amid rumours the company had struck crude oil. Gas condensate - a lighter, petrol-like substance - could be more challenging to extract commercially, analysts said, and data on the scale of the discovery are, at this stage, vague.

Borders & Southern said it would now conduct tests on samples of fluids recovered from the reservoir. "It is too early to give an accurate resource estimate," it said, but the rock was "likely to contain significant volumes".

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Update: Borders and Southern makes new Falklands discovery -- Reuters

My Comment: They were hoping for oil .... but this discovery is still big news, and is more proof that the Falklands are resource rich. This country is naturally not happy with this development.

Could Defence Cuts Result With Britain Losing The Falkland Islands

Defence Cuts Mean Britain Could Lose The Falkland Islands, Warns Thinktank -- Daily Mail

Crippling defence cuts have left the Falkland Islands vulnerable to attack by Argentina, military grandees warned yesterday.

In a bleak assessment, ex-top brass said Britain’s dwindling military budget left the South Atlantic territory a ‘plum ripe for picking’ if Buenos Aires, backed by ally China, invaded.

The damning report urged ministers to pour billions of pounds into the MoD budget - boosting military spending from 2 to 3 per cent of GDP.

Read more ....

My Comment: Argentina does not have there sources and means to successful invade and occupy the Falklands. If the Chinese help .... probably. But the idea of China getting involved in a conflict in the South Atlantic is a bit of a stretch.

Britain Tells Argentina To Back-Off From The Falklands

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Britain's Message To Argentina Over The Falklands: Back Off -- The Telegraph

The Israeli-Palestinian issue dominated media coverage of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York last week. But almost completely slipping under the radar was a war of words between London and Buenos Aires over the Falklands sovereignty question. After a good deal of sabre-rattling by Argentine president Cristina Kirchner in the past few months, which included this rant back in June, the UK Mission to the United Nations issued a robust statement underscoring that Britain will not enter into any negotiations over the sovereignty of the islands:

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. The United Kingdom Government attaches great importance to the principle and right of self determination as set out in Article 1.2 of the Charter of the United Nations and Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. That principle underlies our position on the Falkland Islands. There can be no negotiations on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands unless and until such time as the islanders so wish.

Read more ....

My Comment: A rather blunt warning .... but will the Argentinians listen, and will the Brits have enough boots on the ground to dissuade any Argentinian attempt to take the Falklands .... only time will tell.

More Threats From Argentina On the Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands 'Under Military Occupation' Claims Argentine Ambassador -- The Telegraph

The Falkland Islands are “under military occupation” and Britain’s refusal to negotiate on their sovereignty is due to fisheries and oil riches in the region, Jorge Arguello, Argentina’s ambassador to the United Nations, has said.

Mr Arguello wrongly claimed that the RAF Mount Pleasant military base in the Falklands “has more soldiers than the total British civilian population occupying the islands.”

He predicted that the 21st century would be the “century of the natural resources dispute” and added that “fisheries and oil have much to do with this conflict.”

Speaking at China’s International Studies Foundation think-tank, Mr Arguello added that Argentina was “working on all international forums” in its attempts to get Britain to the negotiating table.

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My Comment: Jorge Arguello (Argentina’s ambassador to the United Nations) is right when he says the following ....

.... the 21st century would be the “century of the natural resources dispute” and added that “fisheries and oil have much to do with this conflict.”

He may not be threatening war .... but the connotations are there.

Argentina Trying To Enforce Their Blockade Of The Falklands

Argentina Launches Naval Campaign To Isolate Falkland Islands -- The Telegraph

Argentina has launched a naval campaign to isolate the Falkland Islands that has seen it detain Spanish fishing vessels on suspicion of breaking the country’s “blockade” of the seas around the British territories.

Argentine patrol vessels have boarded 12 Spanish boats, operating under fishing licences issued by the Falkland Islands, for operating “illegally” in disputed waters in recent weeks.

Argentine patrol commanders carrying out interceptions near the South American coast told Spanish captains they were in violation of Argentina’s “legal” blockade of sea channels to the Falklands.

Read more ....

Update: Fury as Argentina operates 'blockade' of Falklands by boarding Spanish fishing vessels operating with British licences -- Daily Mail

My Comment: Her we go again with the Argentinians.