LONDON The Falkland Islands government said Tuesday it plans a referendum next year on the political future of the tiny south Atlantic archipelago, seeking to end Argentina's claims of sovereignty and to secure its status as a British territory.

Gavin Short, chairman of the Falklands' legislature, made the announcement ahead of Thursday's 30th anniversary of the end of the brief 1982 war between Britain and Argentina over the islands, which saw more than 900 people die.

Tensions have risen ahead of the June 14 anniversary, with Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez planning to press her country's case at a meeting of the U.N.'s decolonization committee to be held on Thursday in New York.

Short said he hoped that a referendum would help the Falklanders "convey a strong message to the outside world," about their desire to retain ties to London.

"We are holding this referendum not because we have any doubts about who we are and what future we want, but to show the world just how very certain we are about that," Short said in a statement.

He said that he had no doubt that the people of the Falklands "wish for the islands to remain a self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom."

British Prime Minister David Cameron said the U.K. would abide by whatever choice the islanders make when they hold their vote and urged Argentina and its allies to do the same.

"Britain will respect and defend their choice. We look to all U.N. members to live up to their responsibilities under the U.N. charter and accept the islanders' decision about how they want to live," he said.

Argentines insist Britain has illegally occupied the islands they call the Islas Malvinas since 1833. Britain accuses Buenos Aires of ignoring the wishes of the island's population of about 3,000 people.

A total of 649 Argentines and 255 British soldiers died in the 1982 war fought between the nations over the archipelago, prompted by the Argentine invasion of the islands.

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Falkland Islands government says it plans referendum on its future political status