Falkland Islands Vote

Anyone from Argentina can read the title as "Islas Malvinas Vote" if they so wish, although it does not change the overall view of the post.

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, the President of Argentina, has said that the vote of self determination by the people of the Falkland Islands is irrelevant.

That is her right. She can pretty much say what she wants but it does not make it correct.

Kirchner has constantly been attempting to get the United Nations involved to settle the dispute between Argentina and Great Britain over the Falkland Islands. Suggesting that Argentina are the rightful owners of the Falkland Islands.

And here lies the problem, as far as Ms. Kirchner is concerned. She is missing some one very important fact in her argument for the Falkland Islands to become Argentinian owned.

The United Nations must listen to the result of the vote by the Falkland Islanders themselves. Anything else would be a violation of the United Nations Resolution 1514 (XV), which was adopted in 1960, and states:

"2. All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development."

"6. Any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations."

The entire resolution can be read at the United Nations website. (http://www.un.org/en/decolonization/declaration.shtml)

The Falkland Islands has its own government, its own Constitution, its own justice system, and its own elections. This alone fulfills the idea, and theory, of self-determination.

Ms Kirchner missed a massive opportunity. While she was busy worrying about Great Britain's connection with the Falkland Islands she could have better spent her time trying to persuade the people of the Falkland Islands why they would be better off under Argentine guidance.

No matter what the people of the Falkland Islands decide it must be adhered to under the United Nations charter. Anything other than the United Nations listening to the people of the Falkland Islands would make the United Nations look like a farce in the global arena.

UPDATE: The Falkland Island referendum has finished with 98.8% voting "YES" to remain a British Overseas Territory. There was a 92% turnout.Now, hopefully, any verbal attacks from Ms. Kirchner will be held as violations of Resolution 1514 (XV) and the people of the Falklands can get on with their lives without this constant drama surrounding them.