Falklands tensions flare at G20

20 Jun 2012, 12:15 pm   -   Source: BBC, AAP
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Past tensions over the Falklands have flared during the G20 summit between Great Britain and Argentina.

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Past tensions over the Falklands Islands have flared during the G20 summit between Great Britain and Argentina.

Outside the main conference hall, Argentine President Cristina Kirchner was seen forcing an envelope said to contain documents relating to a United Nations resolution on the islands into the hands of British Prime Minister David Cameron.

It was labelled “Las Malvinas” – the Argentine name for the islands.

Mr Cameron refused to accept the document, saying afterwards: “I wanted to make absolutely clear, here at the G20 to the Argentine president that the people of the Falklands Islands have decided to hold a referendum about their future.

“And if she believes in democracy, if she believes in self-determination, she should respect the outcome of that referendum.”

The row comes just a week after the Falklands announced it would hold a referendum to decide if it should stay British. It is also the thirty year anniversary since Great Britain took back the islands after a war with Argentina.

“What kind of United Nations member is Great Britain,” asked Argentine Foreign Minister, Hector Timerman, “when she demands that others respect UN resolutions, but doesn’t comply herself?

“To say thirty years ago there was a war is true. But 130 years ago, Britain invaded Argentina – Britain is famous for being a coloniser."

Mr Timerman also insists it was Britain, not Argentina that picked a fight.

Falklands Islands , David Cameron , Cristina Kirchner , G20 Summit

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