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Falkland Islands dispute may thaw, says UK defence secretary on historic visit | Falkland Islands dispute may thaw, says UK defence secretary on historic visit |
(7 months later) | |
Michael Fallon has paid tribute to the British casualties of the Falklands war as he became the first UK defence secretary to visit the islands in over a decade. | Michael Fallon has paid tribute to the British casualties of the Falklands war as he became the first UK defence secretary to visit the islands in over a decade. |
Around 1,400 British service personnel are still stationed on the south Atlantic islands that have periodically been at the centre of a bitter war of words since the 1982 invasion by Argentina. | Around 1,400 British service personnel are still stationed on the south Atlantic islands that have periodically been at the centre of a bitter war of words since the 1982 invasion by Argentina. |
Cristina Kirchner left office as Argentinian president in December 2015 and her succession by Mauricio Macri has raised hopes of a thaw in relations between London and Buenos Aires. | Cristina Kirchner left office as Argentinian president in December 2015 and her succession by Mauricio Macri has raised hopes of a thaw in relations between London and Buenos Aires. |
“I hope that opportunity can now be taken,” Fallon said. | “I hope that opportunity can now be taken,” Fallon said. |
Kirchner repeatedly raised the dispute with escalating rhetoric, asserting that the remote archipelago, known to Argentinians as the Islas Malvinas, should be returned. | Kirchner repeatedly raised the dispute with escalating rhetoric, asserting that the remote archipelago, known to Argentinians as the Islas Malvinas, should be returned. |
Argentina has maintained Britain has occupied the islands illegally since 1833. | Argentina has maintained Britain has occupied the islands illegally since 1833. |
After the Argentinian invasion in April 1982 a British naval task force was dispatched by Margaret Thatcher to retake the islands. | After the Argentinian invasion in April 1982 a British naval task force was dispatched by Margaret Thatcher to retake the islands. |
A total of 255 Britons died and many hundreds more wounded. | A total of 255 Britons died and many hundreds more wounded. |
In Port Stanley on Tuesday Fallon bowed before a memorial obelisk in remembrance of the British servicemen killed in the conflict. | In Port Stanley on Tuesday Fallon bowed before a memorial obelisk in remembrance of the British servicemen killed in the conflict. |
A handwritten note left on a wreath by the defence secretary read: “In grateful memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of these islands.” | A handwritten note left on a wreath by the defence secretary read: “In grateful memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of these islands.” |
In a 2013 referendum Falklanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory. | In a 2013 referendum Falklanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory. |
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Fallon criticised recent comments by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn that Britain and Argentina should negotiate over the islands’ sovereignty. | Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Fallon criticised recent comments by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn that Britain and Argentina should negotiate over the islands’ sovereignty. |
He told the newspaper: “The biggest threat at the moment isn’t Argentina, it’s Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party who want to override the wishes of the islanders. | He told the newspaper: “The biggest threat at the moment isn’t Argentina, it’s Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party who want to override the wishes of the islanders. |
“The issue is how we improve relationships with rest of South America and we have the election of a new government in Argentina that may open the door to that.” | “The issue is how we improve relationships with rest of South America and we have the election of a new government in Argentina that may open the door to that.” |
With the Press Association | With the Press Association |
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