DAVID CAMERON today vows Britain will protect the Falklands from a feared
Argentine backlash against their historic referendum.
Voting on whether the south Atlantic islands wish to remain a British Overseas
Territory begins today, with a result expected on Tuesday.
Politicians and business chiefs are braced for a sabre-rattling stunt by
Buenos Aires after the poll closes tomorrow. But with the far-flung Islands’
1,672 eligible voters expected to declare themselves British and proud by a
huge margin, the PM pledges he will always be by their side.
In an exclusive article for The Sun, Mr Cameron says Argentina can continue
to posture, “but as long as the Falklanders want to stay British, we will
always be there to protect them. They have my word on that.”
Patriotic Islanders are planning to mark the vote with a flag-waving car rally
in the capital Stanley, similar to one staged last month.
The Sun found unanimous support among Falklanders for staying British, with
many demanding Argentine president Cristina Kirchner leave them in peace.
Buenos Aires has refused to recognise the referendum and some fear an
escalation of the rhetoric.
The reason for Argentina’s heavy interest in the Falklands is simple — oil.
There is a potential £75BILLION bonanza to be tapped into, which
would revolutionise the Falklands economy.
VOTERS in the remote British-ruled Islands go to the polls and vote on their future on Sunday
The exploration firm expect oil to start flowing by 2017 but its effects are
already being felt. Oil workers turning up en masse means they need food to
eat, places to stay and, longer term, homes to live in.
On Hope Cottage Farm, an hour’s drive from Stanley, Paul Phillips cannot breed
cattle fast enough to keep up with the need for beef. He said: “A few years
ago we were putting 30 cows to the bull. Last year we did 72.
“Demand is great because of the oil industry being here.”
Some hope the Falklands could one day pay the £75million-a-year bill for
Britain’s military presence.
Whatever the future holds, the referendum will show Falklanders are united
on one thing — they want to remain British.
myView
By DAVID CAMERON, Prime Minister
THIRTY-ONE years ago, British Forces liberated the Falkland Islands. They
showed remarkable courage and determination. 255 servicemen lost their lives.
We will never forget their ultimate sacrifice.
We showed that we wouldn’t be intimidated. That we would defend our interests.
And that, above all, we would always stand up for what is right.
Today the Falklanders are making their voices heard in a referendum. Argentina
can continue to posture. Intimidating fishing vessels. Claiming ownership of
the Islands. Threatening businesses that trade with the Islands. Strangling
the livelihoods of Islanders.
But as long as the Falklanders want to stay British, we will always be there
to protect them.
They have my word on that.