Penguin News - Visiting US congressman offers support for Falklands’ self-determination

South American rhetoric on the Falklands should, “be cooled, otherwise mistakes might happen,” US member of the house of Representatives Republican Congressman F. Jim Sensenbrenner told the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

Sensenbrenner tells Argentine rhetoric on the Falklands should “be cooled” Sensenbrenner tells Argentine rhetoric on the Falklands should “be cooled”

Invited to the Falklands by MLAs who visited Washington in 2011 the visiting congressmen, who sits on the powerful Judiciary Committee and is Chair of the Subcommittee on Crime Terrorism and Homeland Security offered firm support for self determination for Falkland Islanders.

He added that if the United Nations, “means what it says,” it would have to stand behind, “the decision that Falkland Islanders had made for themselves.”

Asked about the UN urging “talks” on the Falklands, he said later to Islands’ media, “I don’t see the Argentines being able to negotiate because Mr Menem put a provision in the Argentine constitution that says the Falklands’ belong to Argentina.” He concluded that as a result, Argentina could only work towards that end, but no Islanders wanted Argentina to assume sovereignty.

Sensenbrenner suggested, “rather than being treated to power point presentations by Foreign Minister Timerman they (the UN) should back up the self determination of Falkland Islanders.”

Mr Sensenbrenner described the Falklands as vibrant and economically self sufficient. “It appears to have done better than most countries in escaping the effects of recession”, adding that Islands had a democratic form of government and he was impressed at how issues were debated with the public.

The congressman felt the Falklands had, “a lot to offer in terms of a developing economy and for a base for scientific exploration,” with regard to climate change.

Mr Sensenbrenner also suggested that the Governor, if he ever visited the USA, should make it clear he is, “not a colonial Governor but a Governor of an Overseas Territory and there is a big difference between the two.” (Penguin News)