(Lab) [V]: My
Lords, the unthinkable is happening as this tragedy unfolds. It
was the danger of such conflict at the heart of Europe that
motivated my three, criticised interventions in our Chamber in
recent weeks. I need to make it clear that I am not some
peacenik. In the Commons, I supported intervention in
the Falklands
and in the case of Iraq I visited Washington on three occasions
to lobby for varying forms of military intervention...
(Con): My Lords, I of
course share the views already expressed on the appalling nature
of the events that have taken place in eastern Europe and, in
particular, in Ukraine.
Exactly 40 years ago this year, the Argentinians invaded and
briefly occupied the Falkland Islands. The
response of the United Kingdom, in accordance with Resolution 503
of the Security Council—which, incidentally, the Russians did not
veto—and, above all, the views and wishes of the Falkland
islanders, was to recover the islands militarily. This
was achieved after a brief Argentinian occupation. The view of
the Falkland islanders is known to remain
unchanged. However, recent remarks from some Argentinian sources
suggest that the islands are once more at risk. To make matters
worse, the Chinese authorities have recently made a public
statement supporting the Argentinians in this matter. Against
this background, the Argentinians perhaps imagine that Her
Majesty’s Government are presently distracted by other
matters—those we are debating today—and might therefore choose
this moment to launch a new attack on the Falkland
Islands while Her Majesty’s Government are looking the
other way, so to speak.
I therefore ask the Minister, when he comes to respond, to
confirm that the Government are aware of recent Argentinian
remarks and statements, and that he can confirm that our policy
concerning the Falkland Islands remains
unchanged. Thus, exactly as in 1982, the views and wishes of the
Falkland islanders will be paramount.
I apologise for this brief digression from the main subject of
our debate. I of course share the view of Her Majesty’s
Government with regard to Ukraine. However, we cannot ignore
threats elsewhere in the world.
For context, CLICK HERE
