Argentina and United Kingdom asked to resolve future of Falklands (Malvinas.) (includes related article on South Atlantic).

Argentina and United Kingdom asked to resolve future of Falklands (Malvinas)

Argentina and the United Kingdom have been asked by the General Assembly to initiate negotiations to resolve problems pending between them regarding the future of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). The request was contained in resolution 42/19, adopted by a vote of 114 in favour to 5 against (Belize, Gambia, Oman, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom), with 36 abstentions.

The Secretary-General was requested to continue his renewed mission of good offices to assist parties to begin negotiations.

The question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) was first considered by the Assembly in 1982 at the request of 20 Latin American countries.

The Secretary-General reported (A/42/732) that the United Kingdom remained committed to achieving normal relations with Argentina and wanted both countries to concentrate on solving problems of mutual concern, such as fisheries, while setting aside the sovereignty claim, on which the United Kingdom considered views to be "diametrically opposed".

Argentina, he said, was ready to initiate negotiations to settle all issues outstanding, including those relating to the future of the islands.

While both parties had shown "commendable restraint" and "clear willingness" to reduce areas of tension, the Secretary-General regretted that it had not yet proved possible to engage both Governments in the kind of dialogue called for by the Assembly.

On 14 August, the Special Committee on decolonization regretted that comprehensive negotiations between Argentina and the United Kingdom had not yet started. It noted with satisfaction Argentina's intention to comply with relevant Assembly resolutions, urged resumption of negotiations and reiterated support for the Secretary-General's mission.

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