Cameron in clash with Argentina over Falklands

David Cameron opposed Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s attempt to present him with an envelope containing issues relating to the Falkland Islands at the G20 Summit in Mexico.

Argentinian officials named Cameron a “colonialist” as he refused to accept the envelope marked “Un Malvinas” to discuss the sovereignty of the islands and walked away from the Argentinian president on Tuesday.

The envelope contained 40 UN resolutions to the future of the islands and encouraged Argentina and Britain to discuss the Falklands, according to the Argentinian foreign minister Hector Timerman.

Alberto Scoccimarro, the Argentine government spokesman, said: “The PM answered that he wasn’t going to talk about sovereignty and the President responded that she didn’t intend to talk about sovereignty either.”

Timerman criticised Cameron, claiming: “Britain continues to refuse to talk and what surprised me most was that David Cameron did not go to the decolonisation meeting on Thursday.”

Cameron, who was thereafter accused of disrespecting UN resolutions, claimed his refusal was due to Argentina’s attempted “media stunt” and “propaganda”. This view was reinforced as the clash occurred publicly and was recorded by TV cameras.

Downing Street aides said Cameron provided the president with a “clear and calm message” in which he stated: “I am not proposing a full discussion now on the Falklands but I hope you have noted that they are holding a referendum and you should respect their views.”

British officials backed Cameron in his refusal to accept the envelope.

Line Elise Svanevik