Argentina slams PM’s ‘manners’ over Falklands
ARGENTINA’S president today accused David Cameron of being “almost ill-mannered” after a fierce clash over the Falklands Islands.
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner criticised the Prime Minister after he “robustly” fended off a fresh attempt to undermine British sovereignty over the South Atlantic territory.
The clash happened at a working dinner in Brussels last night for 60 world leaders from the European Union and Latin America countries.
President Kirchner did not attend the summit, which was mainly about trade, security and combating drugs, but her foreign minister, Hector Timerman, stood up at the dinner to launch a surprise attack on Britain for clinging to a “colonial” claim over the islands, which Argentina invaded in 1982.
Mr Timerman also threatened action against companies exploring for oil.
Mr Cameron then stood up and branded the remarks “threatening”. He pointed out that the islanders had freely voted “over whelmingly ” to remain under the British flag in a ref- erendum in 2013 and said its waters were territorial.
During a public address today, President Kirchner claimed: “The Prime Minister’s response was irate, almost ill-mannered.”
In April, Argentina started legal proceedings in one of its courts against five companies, three British, that are drilling for oil and gas off the Falklands, a move Britain denounced as bullying.
Mr Timerman spoke about the future of the Falklands last night even though the subject was not on the agenda.
A No 10 spokesman said Mr Cameron “robustly defended the Falklands and the Islanders’ right to self-determination in response the Argentine Foreign Minister raising the issue.
“The Prime Minister underlined that the Islanders had expressed their view in a referendum and that should be respected. He went on to add that the waters around the Falklands were territorial waters and it was unacceptable of Argentina to threaten investors seeking to operate there.”
Argentine officials confirmed there was an “incident” but gave no further details.