Argentina condemns Cameron remarks

Argentina's president Cristina Fernandez has described Britain as a crude colonial power in decline
12 April 2012

Argentina's president has laid into David Cameron over remarks he made about the Falkland Islands.

Cristina Fernandez described Britain as a "crude colonial power in decline" and criticised the Prime Minister for what she called an expression of "mediocrity and stupidity".

The response came after Mr Cameron told the Commons on Wednesday: "I would say this: as long as the Falkland Islands want to be sovereign British territory, they should remain sovereign British territory - full stop, end of story."

The president has insisted Argentina and Britain should negotiate over the South Atlantic islands, which the two countries fought a 10-week war over in 1982.

Addressing Mr Cameron's stance, she said: "In the 21st century (Britain) continues to be a crude colonial power in decline."

She branded Mr Cameron "arrogant" and said his remarks were an expression of "mediocrity and stupidity".

Asked how Mr Cameron would respond to the Argentinian president's comments, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "You won't be surprised that we don't agree."

The spokesman added: "All he was doing the other day was setting out our long-held position on the Falkland Islands and their right to self-determination."

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