Britain warns against "economic blockade" of Falkland Islands

Jan 10, 2012, 15:48 GMT

London - Britain Tuesday warned South American countries against continuing their 'economic blockade' against the Falkland Islands, under which ships from the disputed islands are blocked from entering the South American ports.

In a written statement to parliament, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain was 'happy' with the decision of Brazil, Chile and Uruguay to allow Falkland Island ships to enter their ports, providing they bore another national flag or the Red Ensign, which is the UK's civil ensign.

Their conduct was the result of 'productive and honest discussions' held recently with the nations concerned, said Hague.

However, he criticized Paraguay and Argentina for refusing to grant Falkland ships entry to their ports just before Christmas, saying that their behaviour was 'inconsistent' with the principles of the United Nations charter.

'Whilst we do not accept that the decision to refuse entry to vessels flying the Falklands flag has any basis in international law, our priority has been to ensure that the trade and commercial links between the Falklands and South America are not compromised by this political declaration,' Hague wrote in the statement.

'We have had productive and honest discussions with Uruguay, Chile and Brazil. All three countries have said that they have no intention of participating in an economic blockade of the Falkland Islands and that all Falklands-related commercial shipping will continue to enjoy access to their ports, in accordance with domestic and international law, if they are flying the Red Ensign or another national flag when docked.'

'I hope that others in the region will continue to recognize that differences of opinion over UK sovereignty of the Falkland Islands cannot justify collusion in efforts to intimidate an innocent civilian population through economic pressure,' he said.

The British government would always ensure that the Falkland Islanders' right to determine their political future was respected, he added.

In 1982, former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher went to war with Argentina over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic. Despite surrendering to Britain after several weeks of fighting, Argentina continues to claim the islands.

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