UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- The British government said there won't be any negotiations over the Falkland Islands' sovereignty until Falklands citizens there expressed that desire.
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner told the United Nations this week that 2013 would mark the 180th year of the British government's illegal usurpation of Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas. Many U.N. resolutions, she said, called on London to discuss the situation but the British have refused.
Argentina is at odds with the British government over claims to the Falkland Islands. Buenos Aires maintains the islands are left over from the British colonial area and should fall under Argentine rule.
Argentina invaded Falkland Islands in 1982.
A statement from the British government said self-determination is a key issue of international political rights.
"That principle underlies our position on the Falkland Islands," the statement read. "There can be no negotiations on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands unless and until such time as the islanders so wish."
London described its relationship with overseas territories as "modern," saying Argentina had backed from a series of "opportunities" to settle the issue.
Kirchner said debates over the islands were a global issue not limited to bilateral affairs with London.
