OAS backs Argentina on Falklands

The OAS general assembly urged both countries at a summit in Bolivia on Tuesday "to retake negotiations in order to soon find a peaceful way to solve the Malvinas Islands sovereignty dispute" that sparked a war in 1982 which claimed 904 lives.

It also welcomed "the reaffirmation of the will of the Argentinian government to continue exploring all possible avenues for peaceful settlement of the dispute and its constructive approach towards the inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands."

Argentinian Foreign Minister Hector Timerman accused Britain of intending to "plunder the natural resources of the area, in violation of United Nations resolutions that have called on both parties to refrain from unilateral acts."

Mr Timerman invited OAS British delegate Fiona Clouder, who was present in an observer capacity, to immediately engage in dialogue.

He expressed disappointment that London has chosen to ignore 39 resolutions passed by the UN urging both nations to solve the bilateral conflict.

"I would like to offer Great Britain the opportunity to meet in a room.

"The OAS secretary-general can be present. I want to negotiate with Great Britain. I want to find a peaceful solution to this colonial conflict."

But Ms Clouder said: "The future of the Falklands is not in the hands of the United Kingdom, or Argentina, or any other country represented here.

"It is in the hands of the people of the islands."

Mr Timerman responded by saying that it was an "achievement" of the OAS that an official English observer was present at the assembly - but he insisted on a formal meeting to resume negotiations.

Addressing a seminar of the United Nations special committee on decolonisation in Quito at the end of last month, Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said: "When we like what the UN has to say, we immediately enforce it and if possible with heavy bombings.

"But when we don't like what the UN says we dump it in the rubbish bin."

foreigneditor@peoples-press.com