TNAG-0926-FCO40-1144-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 200

You ask about the Falkland Islands. I can assure you that the British Government are in no doubt about their sovereign rights over the Falkland Islands and Dependencies. Successive British Governments have consistently made their views clear, to Argentina and others.

You may rest assured that in the search for a solution to this long-standing and complex problem no settlement will be reached without the agreement of the Islanders who have been, and will continue to be, fully consulted about developments affecting their future. You refer also to an Argentine mission on one of the Islands. You are probably thinking of Argentina's scientific station on Southern Thule, near the Antarctic Circle. We have protested to Argentina about their presence on this island and in so doing, have protected British sovereignty there.

I enclose a fact sheet on the Falkland Islands which may be of interest. You will be pleased to see that a permanent airfield was completed in the Islands in 1979 using British aid funds.

L D Bridgwood

Hong Kong and General Department