Downing Street has responded to leaked internal Pentagon emails in which US officials argued that Washington could review Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands due to its lack of support in the US-Iran conflict.
Email, first reported reuters, There were suggestions that Washington was reviewing various options to punish NATO allies, including Britain, that have shown no support for the US.
As for Britain, one US official suggested that Washington should re-evaluate its diplomatic support for European “imperial possessions”, including the Falklands.
As reported BBCA No 10 spokesman said sovereignty over the Falkland Islands rested with Britain.
“The Falkland Islands have voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory and we have always stood behind the islanders’ right to self-determination and the fact that sovereignty rests with the UK,” he said.
According to the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson, the government has been very clear about its position on the status and sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, saying “the islanders’ right to self-determination is paramount.”
He added, “We have expressed this position clearly and consistently to the US administration before and there is no change in that.”
The Pentagon has not yet commented on the reported emails and the UK’s response.
The Falkland Islands agreement between the UK and Argentina is already a point of deep contention based on sovereignty. According to Britain, its claims are legally and morally justified by the wishes of the people living there.
In 1982, a ten-week war broke out after Argentine dictator Leopoldo Galtieri launched a military invasion of the British overseas territory of the Falkland Islands.
The Reagan administration supported Britain’s efforts to take back the islands from Argentina under the government of then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, initially remaining neutral.
