‘No weakening’ of Falklands presence

Published on 29/06/2012 01:24

BRITAIN’S determination to defend the Falkland Islands was yesterday enshrined in a government white paper which declared there would be “no weakening” in resolve.

The paper, setting out a vision for the future of the UK’s 14 overseas territories, was published days after Prime Minister David Cameron clashed with Argentinian president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner over the Falklands when the pair met at the G20 summit in Mexico.

Mr Cameron has rejected Ms Kirchner’s demand for negotiations over the sovereignty of the islands, and last week told her that she should respect the result of a referendum next year, when the Falklanders will vote on whether they wish to retain their ties with Britain.