ARGENTINA: Small group protest outside British embassy as war of words over Falklands intensifies

Record ID: 446801

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Small group protest outside British embassy as war of words over Falklands intensifies
  • Date: 21st January 2012
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (JANUARY 20, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF BRITISH EMBASSY BRITISH FLAG VARIOUS OF POLICE ARRIVING SECURITY CAMERA VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS ARRIVING SIGN READING: BRITISH OUT OF MALVINAS SIGN READING: CUT DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN MAN SINGING INTO MEGAPHONE VARIOUS OF POLICE GUARDING BRITISH EMBASSY VARIOUS OF LEFTIST ACTIVIST VILMA RIPOL LEADING PROTEST (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LEFTIST ACTIVIST VILMA RIPOL SAYING: "The statements by Prime Minister Cameron are scandalous, because if there is a colonial country in the world, it's Great Britain. In the 21st century, there are 16 colonies in the world and 11 of them belong to Great Britain. So it makes sense they would deny us our property, the Malvinas, and also send troops and the little prince. We know what that means and there must be measures that measure up to the circumstances. We are asking the government of (President) Cristina (Fernandez) to cut ties with Great Britain." VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS BURNING BRITISH FLAG AND POLICE WATCHING
  • Embargoed: 5th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina, Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA3SIHQM10M34ELOY2IU0OOUUD5
  • Story Text: A small group of Argentines protested on Friday (January 20) outside the British embassy in Buenos Aires as a war of words over the Falklands Islands intensified.
    Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron incensed Argentines this week when he accused the South American country of "colonialism" in its claim to the Falkland Islands, known as 'Las Malvinas' in Spanish, as the 30th anniversary of their conflict over the British-ruled territory approaches.
    Tensions have risen in recent years over offshore oil exploration, and have gained steam before the April anniversary of the conflict as well as a planned tour of duty on the islands by Britain's Prince William.
    Cameron told parliament Britain was committed to protecting the South Atlantic islands and added that people there should be allowed to decide their own nationality.
    Fewer than 50 protesters marched on the embassy Friday as a cordon of police officers stood between them and the building.
    Vilma Ripol, a leftist activist, called on the Argentine government to sever diplomatic ties with Great Britain.
    "The statements by Prime Minister Cameron are scandalous, because if there is a colonial country in the world, it's Great Britain. In the 21st century, there are 16 colonies in the world and 11 of them belong to Great Britain. So it makes sense they would deny us our property, the Malvinas, and also send troops and the little prince. We know what that means and there must be measures that measure up to the circumstances. We are asking the government of (President) Cristina (Fernandez) to cut ties with Great Britain," she said.
    Fernandez, currently recovering from surgery, described Britain last June as a "crass colonial power in decline" for refusing to hold talks over the islands and Argentine officials were quick to hit back over Cameron's remarks.
    London has controlled the islands, about 300 miles (480 km) off the Argentine coast, since 1833. Its two-month war with Argentina in 1982 resulted in the deaths of 255 British and about 650 Argentine soldiers.
    The British government says it will only agree to sovereignty talks if the territory's 3,000 residents ask it to, adding that the islanders want to remain British.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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