Falklanders want to remain British

Cameron says Argentina should respect vote London (BBC): The UK Prime Minister said the almost unanimous vote in favour of staying a British overseas territory was the clearest possible result. He said Argentina should take careful note of the referendum and Britain would always defend the islands. It follows pressure from Argentina over its claims to the islands, 31 years after the Falklands War with the UK. Most Argentines regard the islands, which they call Las Malvinas, as Argentine and their recovery are enshrined in the national constitution. Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has made clear that her country does not recognise the referendum, insisting it has no legal validity. However, Cameron said the islanders were entitled to the right of self-determination. Cameron said, "The Falklands Islands may be thousands of miles away but they are British through and through, and that is how they want to stay, and people should know we will always be there to defend them." "They want to remain British and that view should be respected by everybody, including by Argentina," he added. Nigel Haywood, governor of the Falkland Islands, said the referendum was a massive demonstration of the way the Falkland Islanders feel and of the way they see their future. "Obviously it is a major principle of the United Nations that people have their right to self-determination, and you don't get a much clearer expression of the people's self-determination than such a large turnout and such a large Yes vote," he said. Dick Sawle, a member of the Falklands Legislative Assembly, said the vote should send out the strongest possible message to the rest of the world about right to self-determination.