PMQs: Johnson slams opposition over Falklands reaction

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The Secretary of Malvinas, Antarctica and South Atlantic, Guillermo Carmona told Argentinian news website Telam: “The British Government has been taking warmongering positions. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in his Christmas message to the islanders, made a sort of apology for war, referring to the Malvinas conflict.

“Malvinas is not Ukraine, but today the principle of territorial integrity is also compromised there.”

In his Christmas message, Mr Johnson hailed 2022 as the year in which the 40th anniversary of the invasion, occupation and liberation of the Falkland Islands could be properly marked.

He said: “Over those four decades so much has about the world has changed beyond all recognition, but one thing that remains absolutely unaltered is the United Kingdom’s commitment to the Falkland Islands and their people.

“It’s a commitment every bit as steadfast as it was when Major General [Sir John Jeremy] Moore accepted the surrender from General [Mario Benjamin] Menéndez and I can promise you now that is not going to change.

“As long as you and your fellow islanders wish to remain under the umbrella of the British Overseas Territories, that is exactly where you’re going to stay.”

Mr Carmona insisted the British continue to ignore a United Nations resolution on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples, claiming the principle of territorial integrity applies to the Falkland Islands.

He added the territory was “violated” with the invasion of 1833 so the British cannot invoke the criterion of “self-determination of peoples”.

On his claim of UK “warmongering”, he pointed to remarks made by UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace who told the Falklands 40 Margaret Thatcher Day Lecture in January that Britain will continue to stand up to bullies wherever in the world they happen to be.

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Mr Wallace said: “Our enemies should not doubt Britain’s determination to stand up to bullies, to defend those who cannot defend themselves and for our values.”

He added: “History is littered with the consequences of those who underestimated this small island. General Galtieri was no different.”

In 1982, Leopoldo Galtieri, then President of Argentina, ordered his country’s forces to invade the Falkland Islands.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted last month: “We completely reject any questions over sovereignty of the Falklands. The Falklands are part of the British family and we will defend their right to self determination.

“China must respect the Falklands’ sovereignty.”

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Her comments came after Argentinian president, Alberto Fernandez, met with China’s President Xi on the fringes of the Beijing winter Olympics.

They signed an agreement in which China reasserted its support for Argentina’s claim to the Falklands, while Mr Fernandez backed Mr Xi’s one-China policy, which claims Taiwan as its own.

Mr Carmona welcomed China’s support as especially significant, adding: “There must be negotiations on Malvinas and we are giving a clear signal. Latin America and the Caribbean are doing the same.

“We are facing a colonial situation that has to come to an end. It is time to reopen the dialogue and negotiations that were interrupted after the [Falklands] War.”

Britain and Argentina fought a 74 day long war for dominance of the archipelago in 1982. The South American country was defeated and the islands, which are known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina, were returned to British control.

In total, 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel and three Falkland Islanders died during the hostilities.

Mr Carmona described an agreement between the President of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, and the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, as very important.

He said: “In that document, the mutual recognition of Argentine sovereignty over the Malvinas by Spain, and that country’s sovereignty over Gibraltar by Argentina, is declared. These are two territories that the United Kingdom usurped.”

The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.

Additional reporting Maria Ortega

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