PM rebuffs Argentina over Falklands

Jan 3 2013

The Prime Minister has said the future of the Falkland Islands is up to the people who live there - not Argentina.

David Cameron rebuffed claims by Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner that Britain is a colonial power and that the Islands should be handed over.

Mr Cameron told her she should "listen" to the result of a referendum to be held on the Island, and if the people chose to remain British they would have his "100%" backing.

"The future of the Falkland Islands should be determined by the Falkland Islanders themselves, the people who live there," he said.

"Whenever they have been asked their opinion, they say they want to maintain their current status with the United Kingdom.

"They're holding a referendum this year and I hope the president of Argentina will listen to that referendum and recognise it is for the Falkland Islanders to choose their future, and as long as they choose to stay with the United Kingdom they have my 100% backing."