OUTGOING Argentinian ambassador Alicia Castro gave a warm welcome yesterday to Jeremy Corbyn’s support for a power-sharing deal for the Falkland Islands inspired by Northern Ireland.
In an interview published on the embassy’s website, Ms Castro described the Labour leader as “one of ours” as well as “friendly and humorous.”
Mentioning Mr Corbyn’s recent visit to Argentina’s London embassy, Ms Castro said: “He is saying that dialogue (is) possible and that attitudes are beginning to change, that what was achieved in Northern Ireland can be achieved also here.
“His decisive leadership can guide British public opinion to promote dialogue between the governments of the United Kingdom and Argentina.”
When interviewed on the Andrew Marr Show on January 17, Mr Corbyn proposed talks with Argentina and said “some reasonable accommodation” should be reached.
“It seems to me ridiculous that in the 21st century we could get into some enormous conflict with Argentina about the islands just off it,” he said.
“Yes, of course the islanders have an enormous say in this. Let’s bring about some sensible dialogue.
“It happened before, I’m sure it could happen again.”
His views were not shared by all of Labour’s front bench, as a a spokesman for shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn said: “Party policy remains that the people of the Falkland Islands have the right to determine their own future.
“We are committed to upholding the right of the Falkland Islanders to self-determination, including by ensuring the defence of the islands.”
David Cameron told MPs last week that the islanders’ right to self-determination would outweigh Buenos Aires’s claim to the territory.
