By Ainsley Thomson
LONDON--The Falkland Islands Tuesday announced plans to hold a
referendum next year on whether to remain a self-governing territory
of the U.K., in a bid to end its sovereignty dispute with Argentina.
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron said the U.K. would be "resolute" in
supporting their choice.
The announcement comes as the South Atlantic archipelago prepares to
mark 30 years since British forces freed the islands from 74 days of
Argentine military occupation on June 14, 1982.
Gavin Short, chariman of the legislative assembly, said he has no
doubt that islanders wish to remain part of the U.K.
"We certainly have no desire to be ruled by the government in Buenos
Aires, a fact that is immediately obvious to anyone who has visited
the islands and heard our views," he said.
"We have thought carefully about how to convey a strong message to the
outside world that expresses the views of the Falklands people in a
clear, democratic and incontestable way. So we have decided, with the
full support of the British government, to hold a referendum on the
Falkland Islands to eliminate any possible doubt about our wishes."
Mr. Short said the referendum will be organized by the Falkland
Islands government and will take place in the first half 2013.
Diplomatic tensions between Argentina and the U.K. have increased in
recent months ahead of the anniversary. The prospect of oil and gas
finds off the islands has also fueled the spat.
Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the islands, which are
called Las Malvinas in Spanish, and has called for talks with the U.K.
to resolve the dispute.
Write to Ainsley Thomson at ainsley.thomson@dowjones.com
(Nicholas Winning contributed to this report)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 12, 2012 09:54 ET (13:54 GMT)
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