Falklands referendum confirms British overseas rule
- 11 years ago
Falkland Islanders have voted almost unanimously in a referendum to stay under British rule, as Argentina intensifies its claim over the territory.
The official count showed on Monday that nearly all the islanders voted in favour of remaining a British Overseas Territory; only three "no" votes were cast, versus 1,513 yeses.
Residents immediately took to the streets in celebration, singing and waving British flags.
As Argentina rejected the vote as a meaningless publicity stunt, British Prime Minister David Cameron urged countries around the world to respect the results.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, DAVID CAMERON, SAYING:
"I think the most important thing about this result is that we believe in self-determination and the Falkland Islanders have spoken so clearly about their future, and now other countries right across the world, I hope, will respect and revere this very, very clear result."
Three decades since Argentina and Britain we
The official count showed on Monday that nearly all the islanders voted in favour of remaining a British Overseas Territory; only three "no" votes were cast, versus 1,513 yeses.
Residents immediately took to the streets in celebration, singing and waving British flags.
As Argentina rejected the vote as a meaningless publicity stunt, British Prime Minister David Cameron urged countries around the world to respect the results.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, DAVID CAMERON, SAYING:
"I think the most important thing about this result is that we believe in self-determination and the Falkland Islanders have spoken so clearly about their future, and now other countries right across the world, I hope, will respect and revere this very, very clear result."
Three decades since Argentina and Britain we