ALKLAND ISLANDS AND DEPENDENCIES
1.
The Falkland Islands have been administered continuously by Britain
since 1833 but are claimed by Argentina. The Falkland Islands have as
Dependencies, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. South Georgia
(uninhabited except for a British Antarctic Survey base) lies 800 miles
east-south-east of the Falklands; and the South Sandwich Islands
(uninhabited) some 470 miles south-east of South Georgia.
2.
There is an Executive Council consisting of the Governor, as President,
two ex-officio members, two unofficial members appointed by the Governor
and two elected members, elected from the members of the Legislative
Council. The Legislative Council consists of the Governor, two ex-officio
members and six members elected on the basis of universal adult suffrage.
3. The Economic Survey of the Falkland Islands (the Shackleton Report of
1976) examined the economic future of the Islands. It underlined the need
for closer co-operation with Argentina, pointing out that no new invest-
ment was likely nor any development of economic resources in the area
practical in a climate of continued political uncertainty.
4. After consultations with the Islanders, the previous British Govern-
ment agreed (April 1977) terms of reference for future talks with the
Argentines. These covered both economic and political co-operation includ-
ing sovereignty. Four rounds of talks were subsequently held, two at
(The most recent at official level, in March 1979).
Ministerial level.
The talks were without prejudice to Britain's position on sovereignty.
5.
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The Islanders were closely consulted throughout the talks and assured
that proposals for a settlement if any emerged would have to be accept-
able to them before being brought before Parliament. The four rounds of
talks were exploratory. No decisions were taken.
6. The Minister of State at the FCO, Mr Nicholas Ridley, visited the
Islands and Argentina in July. As a result, it was announced that Britain
and Argentina would restore Ambassadors in respective capitals,
bak
•
We have
told the Argentines that we intend to continue the dialogue on the
/Falklands