Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#1
Gordon Brown has dismissed Argentina's claims to the Falklands prior to talks with the country's leader.
The Prime Minister insisted there was "nothing to discuss" with President Cristina Kirchner over the sovereignty of the islands.
Ms Kirchner has pledged to secure the return of the disputed territory, over which the two states went to war in 1982.
the Prime Minister told journalists travelling on his pre-G20 tour: "There is nothing to discuss from our side.
"The essential principle has always been that the islanders should determine the issue of sovereignty for themselves and, let us be clear, our first priority will always be the needs and wishes of the islanders.
"They are a proud and strong community and they have my total support and respect."
Mr Brown said there were "ongoing discussions" about whether flights from the island should be allowed to use Argentinian territory and whether the families of war dead from Argentina should be allowed to visit cemeteries.
"But as on this and every other issue, it is the needs and wishes of the islanders that are our first priority," he added.
Maybe Gordon isn't as weak a Leader as others might suggest.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#2
It is an easy play for him. It would be a sign of a strong (though wrong) leader to go against the public will and to argue in favour of handing over the Falklands to Argentina. It is easy to argue for the status quo that we all support.
#3
Why would he go against the public will if we expect our politicians to listen to the public? Damned if you do etc etc etc etc .............................Those islanders have been clear that they want to remain British, they live there, they manage the island, job done.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#4
Quite right Bern, I was merely replying to the absurd suggestion that it is somehow strong leadership to go along with the public will on a matter.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#5
Back in 1982 I was in America and with My Nan and Grandad went to watch a TV chat show where they had a physic and although we didnt know it they asked the physic 'will there be a war in the Falklands' the compere said before we ask the question we have some people from England actually I think he said London here.
The cameras swung round and we were on live TV covering 40million people in the Mid west.My Grandad an old Desert Rat said go and get them back and now,I said wrongly as it turns out,if the Argies want them let them have them,the only reason we wanted to know about the Falklands was because it is sitting on big oil reserves.
The Physic said that we need not worry because nothing would happen,she got it wrong as well as me.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#6
all very simple, as bern said, the people there consider themselves british, as do the gibraltarians.
the argie politicos always raise the issue when the internal opinion polls are down.
the same applies in spain.