Posted on 04/03/2007 6:02:51 PM PDT by blam
Hague warns Argentina over Falklands
By Ben Fenton in Stanley
Last Updated: 1:33am BST 04/04/2007
William Hague, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, warned Argentina that any future British government would have the patience to defend the Falkland Islands and he said Britain should not be "goaded" by increased rhetoric from Buenos Aires.
Speaking on the 25th anniversary of the day Margaret Thatcher announced that a task force would be sent to drive Argentine invaders off the islands, he said her resolve had "set the standard" for future British governments and increased international respect for the country.
On a one-day visit to the Falklands, Mr Hague met Alan Huckle, the governor and members of the eight-strong elected council and reassured them that their future would be safe in Conservative hands.
"It's important for people in Argentina to understand that people in the Falkland Islands and in Britain do have a long-term perspective and have the patience to build up co-operation with Argentina when they are open to doing so," Mr Hague told The Daily Telegraph.
"But we also have the patience to continue with the right of the Falkland Islanders to determine their own future even if from time to time there is strong rhetoric in Buenos Aires.
"That is I think true not just of the next Conservative government, but of any future possible British government."
Last week, Argentina tore up a 1995 agreement to share oil exploration in waters around the islands and on Monday, as his country marked the anniversary of Malvinas Day, when thousands of Argentine troops took the Falklands, its deputy president Daniel Scioli swore that his country would never give up its claim on sovereignty.
Mr Hague said there was no reason to get "overexcited".
"I see no reason why we should be goaded by that.
"I don't see that every time there is a change in the language from Argentina, there should be a change in the British language.
"Our approach should be one of a long term settled policy and we just have to calmly explain the situation: that this is a matter of self-determination for the people who live here."
Of Mrs Thatcher's decision to retake the Falklands in 1982, he added: "It established that Britain is a country that knows the difference between right and wrong and will take action when it is necessary to do so.
"That has added over the years to the international respect for the UK, including in South American countries, that we are not people who will just create a fudge when people are bullied, that we will stand up for the rights of those who wish to continue their association with Britain."
Argentina might just hire a few Iranians to come and take care of the British Navy.
How many people know that Argentinean welfare is so encompassing that it has a Wine allowance?
You guys beat me to it. Hague’s comments would be a lot morre credible if the Brits didn’t have their nostrils so firmly planted between Iranian buttocks at the moment.
Mr. Hague was quick to add, "Except for Iran, and other islamo-fascist states. We'll be quick to surrender in those cases."
What's Shadow Foreign Secretary? It is like a vice secretary? The first subordinate of the foreign secretary?
It's near home (for them); has plenty of sheep to eat; it's boring so they'll be glad to get on board the rubber rafts that will take them to shore.
Any Argentine that suggests a Falkland Islands takeover should be assassinated. Each such suggestion is an act of war, and to the extent possible the US should assist our English friends to carry out such assassinations. Game playing time is over.
ML/NJ
Ooops...there goes that pesky Monroe Doctrine out the window again!
Brit shoulda known better than to show any weakness. Get tough now Brits.
“What’s Shadow Foreign Secretary? It is like a vice secretary? The first subordinate of the foreign secretary?”
No, he is the foreign policy spokesman for the Conservative Party. In a Westminster style parliamentary system, for each member of the Cabinet in charge of a government department (Her Majesty’s Government) you have a opposition spokesman (Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition) who’s job is to oppose, question, and debate the government on that department’s responsibilities. Collectively the opposition spokesmen or “shadows” (they shadow their government counterpart) are called the Shadow Cabinet. Hague is a former leader of the Conservatives and still an important figure in the party, if the Conservatives win the next election he would at least be the Foreign Secretary if not Chancellor of the Exchequer (Treasury Secretary) or Deputy Prime Minister. When he speaks like this, he is laying out the policy of the next Conservative government of the UK.
Thanks for the explanation. My first thought was Huffington’s and Soros’ “shadow government” but then I thought it was silly to do a new story about that type of “shadow” official.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.