Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed to defend the Falkland Islands after a 'momentous' year in which residents voted to remain a British overseas territory. <\/p>\n
In a Christmas message, Cameron said the world should respect the overwhelming result of a referendum in March which came in the face of increasing calls from Argentina to negotiate the island's sovereignty. <\/p>\n
'2013 will be remembered as a momentous year in the history of the Falkland Islands,' Cameron said on Friday. <\/p>\n
'So as we look to 2014, you can count on the British government's continued support in countering the Argentine government's campaign to claim the islands' resources and to inflict damage on your economy.' <\/p>\n
Cameron said Argentina's attempts to damage the islands' economy involved recent 'shameful attempts to discourage hydrocarbons exploration' in Falklands waters. <\/p>\n
The islanders voted 99.8 per cent in favour of staying British in a referendum last month, but Argentina rejected the vote as meaningless. <\/p>\n
Cameron said Britain would 'remain steadfast in its commitment to your sovereignty and security'. <\/p>\n
'The Argentine government will never succeed in any attempt to misrepresent the history of your islands or question your right to self-determination,' the prime minister added. <\/p>\n
'Britain will always be ready to defend the Falkland Islands.' <\/p>\n
Argentina invaded the Falklands, a windswept archipelago, on April 2, 1982, but surrendered on June 14 after a British task force reclaimed it. <\/p>\n
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Cameron vows to defend the Falklands<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed to defend the Falkland Islands after a 'momentous' year in which residents voted to remain a British overseas territory. In a Christmas message, Cameron said the world should respect the overwhelming result of a referendum in March which came in the face of increasing calls from Argentina to negotiate the island's sovereignty. Continue reading