Javier Miley previously said Argentina should “make every effort to return the islands through diplomatic channels.” Photo: Luis Robayo/AFP
Javier Miley, Argentina's president-elect, believes the Falkland Islands belong to his country but says islanders should have a say in their future.
Mr Miley is less more hostile to Britain than Alberto Fernandez, his left-wing predecessor, who demanded immediate negotiations to end what he called the “anachronistic colonial situation” on the islands.
Argentina has claimed the Falkland Islands since its independence in the 19th century and failed to seize them by force in the 1982 Falklands War.
During his election campaign, Miley praised Margaret Thatcher, who is still reviled in Argentina for order to sink the General Belgrano, as one of the “greatest leaders in the history of mankind.” The remark was condemned by war veterans and Sergio Massa, his main rival for the presidency.
But he stood firm, trying to distance himself from his predecessor's confrontational approach and ingratiate himself with the West. to which he said he would seek international support.
Mr. Miley, however, declared Argentina's “non-negotiable” sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas Islands.
“We had a war that we lost, and now we must make every effort to take back the islands through diplomatic channels,” he said in the final televised election debate.
His position is that any transfer of power must be peaceful and that Argentina first needs to transform its economy, where inflation has reached 143 percent.
Diana Mondino, a close adviser to Mr Miley who had been tipped to become his foreign secretary, said in September that the Falkland Islands population, 99.8 per cent of whom voted to remain British in a 2013 referendum, “cannot disrespect.”
Ms Mondino added that Argentina needed to “become a normal country” to persuade islanders to seek closer ties.
“How can someone who was not born and raised in Argentina , understand [our] inflation?” She said. “Why should anyone become part of society? We need to become a normal country, but we are an empty country,” she said.
“It may take many years, but you can’t force any decisions on other people. Not on the Argentines, not on anyone. You can no longer impose solutions. This needs to end.”
In a country where the Falkland Islands remain an extremely sensitive political issue, Ms Mondino's remarks sparked speculation that she could be sacked. But Mr Miley supported her and strongly advocated a gradual transfer of power, offering Hong Kong as a model to follow.
< p>The Falkland Islands are located in the South Atlantic, approximately 370 miles from the Argentine mainland. Argentina claims to have “legitimate and inalienable sovereignty” over the islands and associated sea waters.
A statement on the Argentine government website said: “Returning these territories and fully exercising its sovereignty while respecting the way of life of its inhabitants and adherence to the principles of international law constitute the constant and unchanging goal of the Argentine people.”
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