The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Tag: Falkland Islands

  • Mr Major’s Christmas Message to the Falkland Islands – 25 December 1995

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Christmas message to the Falkland Islands, issued on 25th December 1995.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    This is the sixth Christmas message I’ve broadcast to the Falkland Islands. It gives me a chance to speak to you about recent events, and to look at the year ahead.

    As you know – two months ago – I held the first meeting with the President of Argentina since the 1982 invasion. Let me tell you why. It is because I want a stable and friendly relationship with Argentina. I am in no doubt that would be in all of our interests.

    So, after 13 years, it is right to resume contact at the highest level. But that does not – and will not – change your right to be governed under the flag of your own choosing. That is beyond question.

    A better relationship with Argentina cannot and will not be at the expense of the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. There has been no change and no compromise in the British Government’s position. But a more sensible relationship should produce benefits for all concerned, including the Falkland Islands.

    That has certainly been true over oil exploration. The launching, in October, of your licensing round opened a new vista for your economy.

    Thanks to the agreement reached with Argentina beforehand, the Falkland Islands have been able to invite companies to explore for oil unhindered by the threat of outside interference.

    For similar reasons, I would like to see closer cooperation with Argentina over fisheries. The fishing industry is vital to your economy. So it is very important to improve conservation of the fishery resources you share with Argentina. Fish, alas, do not pay attention to national boundaries.

    I agreed with President Menem to work towards a longer term fisheries agreement, particularly to protect the stocks of squid. I hope that, in the year ahead, we shall be able to achieve this. If so, it would be a most encouraging step forward.

    Closer to home, in a few weeks’ time you will once again be welcoming the Princess Royal. I know she is looking forward immensely to her visit. And I am sure she will return, as so many visitors do, with a deep impression of the values and the spirit which have made the Falkland Islanders the people they are.

    From a wintry Britain to the Falklands in mid-summer, I wish you all a peaceful Christmas and prosperous New Year.

  • Mr Major’s Comments on His Meeting with President of Argentina – 23 October 1995

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s comments on his planned meeting with the President of Argentina, made on the 23rd October 1995.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I wouldn’t expect great dramas out of this meeting, this is part of a steady series of confidence building missions, but there’s no question about the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.

  • Mr Major’s Doorstep Interview in New York – 23 October 1995

    Below is the transcript of Mr Major’s doorstep interview in New York on Monday 23rd October 1995.

    QUESTION:

    Prime Minister, could I ask you first of all about this question of waste in the UK, how serious do you think this problem is?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think it is a problem that has needed addressing for some time and I propose to say so this morning. I should say at the outset that I am a very strong supporter of the United Nations and because I want the United Nations to succeed I believe it should address some of the problems and issues that everyone knows are there. One of them is duplication of functions, another one is waste, another one is to have a proper method of reform, and of course the fourth is at last the need to deal with the membership of the Security Council. All these matters need dealing with and need dealing with speedily.

    QUESTION:

    What about your meeting with President Menem this afternoon? He is making it quite clear that he sees that as a step towards the Falklands becoming the property of Argentina.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Well we certainly don’t, and I think he knows that we don’t. The question of the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is not going to be discussed, it is a matter that is quite clear as far as we are concerned. It is British sovereignty, nothing in that is going to change. But over the last few years we have begun to develop a much better trading relationship with Argentina. We have agreed an oil agreement that will enable the Falklands to exploit oil around their seas. At some stage in the future we will need to develop a Fisheries Agreement and there is a quite significantly growing commercial relationship. So there is a great deal to discuss with President Menem and I look forward to discussing it.

    QUESTION:

    How significant would say the meeting is?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    There have been a number of meetings at Ministerial level over recent years and a great increase in trade flow. But it is the first time that the British Head of Government and the Argentinian Head of Government have met since 1982, so it is significant to that extent. But I would not expect great drama out of this meeting. This is part of a steady series of confidence building measures. But there is no question of any discussion about the sovereignty of the Falklands.

  • Mr Major’s 1994 Christmas Message to the Falkland Islands – 24 December 1994

    Below is Mr Major’s 1994 Christmas Message to the Falkland Islands issued on 24 December 1994.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    The last year has been important for the Falkland Islands. The decision to pass legislation to pave the way for oil exploration could be vitally important. No-one yet knows if there is any oil under the seabed. But if there is, and we believe you are right to find out, the effect on the Islands will be profound.

    Significant oil finds will underpin your economic future. We will help by passing on the lessons we learnt in exploiting the resources of the North Sea. Between us we should look for a way of carrying forward this oil exploration without creating avoidable difficulties with Argentina. We will continue to do all we can to help and I hope that your efforts bring rewards for you and for future generations of Falkland Islanders.

    For the moment, fish remains the mainstay of your economy. You have an excellently managed fishery. The results of the first year of fishing in the Outer Conservation Zone are encouraging. The move to greater economic involvement by Islanders in the fishery represents real progress. But co-operation with your neighbours remains important where there are shared stocks. We shall continue to talk to Argentina about how best to cooperate on acceptable terms. It is important that the Falklands continue to benefit from this invaluable fishery resource.

    Last Christmas I said that the British economy was showing signs of recovery. Those signs have now become reality. Continued low levels of inflation bear witness to the success of sensible management of the economy. Our hard work at restructuring public expenditure and encouraging investment is now paying dividends. We are now seeing sustainable growth and, what is more, sustainable growth at a pace which is outstripping many of our partners and competitors.

    I was recently in Belfast. The most recent of many visits over the last couple of years. I am delighted to mention the great strides we have made towards bringing lasting peace to Northern Ireland. We hope that by working with the government of the Republic of Ireland, we can persuade all sides of the sectarian divide to end violence for good and to join the democratic process.

    Your interests in the Falkland Islands remain very important to us.

    Douglas Hurd brought back two things from his visit in April. The first was a fondness for the Islands and their people. The second was a confirmation that our policy of defending your rights was both just and essential. We will not be diverted from that course. You have the right to be governed under the flag of your own choice and we will continue to uphold that right. The recent opinion poll conducted in the Islands made clear the very strong feelings that you have on this subject. Let me assure you tonight our feelings are no less firm.
    I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

  • Mr Major’s Christmas Message to the Falkland Islands – 25 December 1992

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Christmas message to the Falkland Islands, recorded on Monday 7th December 1992.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    At every Conservative Party conference, I make a point of visiting the Falkland Islands stand. It is a reminder that although you are far away in miles you occupy a prominent place in our thoughts and in our affections.

    It has not been an uneventful year for any of us. Throughout Europe we face one of the longest and deepest recessions that we have ever known and I know that you face problems too, especially over your income from fisheries and because of the low world price for wool. Let us hope that 1993 will be a better year for all of us. For you it will I know see the start of the seismic survey which will show at last whether there is oil in commercial quantities in Falklands’ waters. We have our fingers crossed for you.

    Norma and I were very sorry not to visit you during your heritage year but I have heard of its success and I warmly congratulate you upon it. As you can imagine, problems near home have loomed large this year and have prevented me from travelling very far afield but I hope I shall be able to remedy what is undoubtedly my loss before too long and I do hope you realise that out of sight does not mean out of mind. We continue to give very high priority to your interests and to your welfare and not from a sense of duty alone hut because of the genuine strength of feeling for you here at home in Britain.

    Hardly a day goes by when we do not owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women of the Armed Forces and not least of course for what they do in the Falkland Islands, It is at this time of the year that family separations are the hardest to bear so I send the men and women of the Armed Forces in the Falklands my very special thanks and good wishes for Christmas; I know that goes for the people of the Falkland Islands as well.

    On behalf of the Government, my own family and everyone else in Britain may I send you my very warmest greetings for a Happy Christmas and wish you the very best of good fortune in the New Year.

  • Mr Major’s Bogota Press Conference – 10 June 1992

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s press conference, held in Bogota on Wednesday 10th June 1992.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Let me say at the outset I am very pleased to be back in Colombia, it is not my first visit, it is however the first visit by a British Prime Minister both to Colombia and to South America and I am most grateful to President Gaviria, his wife and colleagues, for the warmth of their welcome and for their hospitality during this visit.

    I had three purposes in coming here. First, to reaffirm our support for Colombian democracy, her market economy and her brave and successful fight against drug trafficking. Second, to develop our bilateral relationship, especially in the trade field. We are, the United Kingdom, the third largest investor in Colombia, 22 subsidiaries of British companies work here, the oil find at Cusiana, which we visited this morning, is the largest BP find for 25 years. And thirdly, to revitalise our relationship with Latin America as a whole.

    The text of our joint declaration brings out the extent of our cooperation. Bilaterally and through the European Community Britain has contributed nearly 20 million sterling to the fight against drug trafficking, help which I first announced as Foreign Secretary at the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. We plan now to enhance that cooperation, the Home Secretary, Kenneth Clarke, will visit Colombia later this year.

    We have agreed to set up a bilateral trade promotions group to encourage trade and investment. We intend to negotiate, very shortly, an agreement on the promotion and protection of investment, and we are looking at the scope for a double taxation agreement.

    These developments will add substance to our relationship. I have also invited President Gaviria to visit Britain as the guest of the British government next year and I am delighted that he has accepted that invitation. The return of democracy and free markets to South America gives us the chance to strengthen our links. We are, as I said a moment ago, one of the biggest investors in Latin America already, my visit here has shown the potential for building on a sound existing basis for cooperation and for revitalising an old friendship. That is our intention and I believe we have made a good start in the last two days.

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

    QUESTION (Adam Boulton, Sky):

    In the battle against drugs how concerned are you that in fact drugs are a pretty important source of income for countries in Latin America and therefore you cannot move too quickly to stop the trade?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I do not think we can afford to delay in stopping the trade. There is a great development in the economies of Latin America and one has seen some of that in the last couple of days in Colombia, but one sees that development mirrored in other parts of Latin America as well. I do not believe there can be any justifiable delay in cracking down on drugs, drugs are the source of a great deal of violence and discontent in Latin America and the end product of the drug trade is the cause of a great deal of misery and death in other parts of the world as well. So there is no cause, no justification and no intention for delaying in cracking down on that problem.

    QUESTION:

    My question is in two parts, in which other areas might British companies be investing in Colombia; and the second part is the concession made by the European Community to the GSP to the Andean Pact countries to help them with their support for the work they are doing on fighting drugs, will that be extended in the future and to which areas?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Upon the latter point first, I cannot commit the whole of the European Community but I think they would look very sensitively at the prospects for extension. There is great concern in the European Community, particularly about drugs but a great interest as well in developing its relationship with Latin America generally.

    On the question of the investment by BP, there are a number of other investments, large investments, by British subsidiaries in Colombia and I have no doubt that that will continue, not just in the oil industry but across, I hope, a wide range of industry as well.

    QUESTION (Paul Reynolds, BBC):

    How can you persuade people in Colombia who might be minded to support some of the opposition groups that companies like BP are not simply here to exploit the resources of Colombia?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    They certainly are not here just for that purpose and I think the best way of persuading anyone who might doubt that is to have a look at what has happened to the prosperity of other countries that have had large investments such as the BP investment in Cusiana, there is no doubt the successful development of Cusiana, the successful exploitation of the oil reserves that it seems might well be there, will have a dramatic, beneficial, revitalising effect on the Colombian economy and I think that is the point that needs to be made and I have no doubt that President Gaviria and his colleagues will make that point very forcibly.

    QUESTION (Adriana Ajalla):

    What was the principal reason why you chose to visit the BP site at Cusiana and how can you be sure that that kind of investment is not going to destroy the natural environment and the resources of Colombia?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    On the first point, I particularly wanted to see the investment, it is state of the art investment, it is one of the biggest investments that I think anyone will have made in Colombia externally at any stage, it has some of the most dramatic and modern engineering skills that anyone has ever seen. And I think therefore that it was something I particularly wished to see.

    As for the environment, it was very noticeable this morning in the questions that the President and I asked the engineers who were there, the immense trouble that they are taking with the water and mud that they bring out of the earth with the drilling, that it goes through several processes to make sure that it is absolutely environmentally repaired before it trickles back down to local streams. A great deal of expenditure and care is going into environmental protection at Cusiana, has done, is doing, and I was assured this morning by the BP executives would continue to do in the future.

    QUESTION (Kirsty, Sky News):

    You are leaving Colombia now to go on to Rio, you have been balancing your pro-environmentalist stance against your relationship with the States, do you think you will be able to sustain that in Rio and what do you hope to get out of that?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I have made it perfectly clear what our stance is on the environment. I think that the Rio conference is immensely important but it is not the end of environmental changes, it is a further step in a continuing process of environmental protection, and for that reason we have examined the conventions very carefully and we will be able to sign all the conventions. We had some difficulties with the biodiversity convention, I think we have now negotiated our way into a position to sign that. So I very much hope that people will see the Rio convention as a success and from the benchmark that is set at Rio we will, be able to move further forward in due course.

    QUESTION (Adrian Croft):

    While you were at Cusiana today there were some rumours in the London markets that you might have gone missing in Colombia. I would like you to comment on that; and given Colombia’s reputation for violence do you think that it is a deterrent to foreign investment in the country because of guerrilla and other violence?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    As you can see, I have not gone missing in Colombia. Were I to go missing I cannot think of many nicer pieces to go missing in but I can promise you that I am in rude health and I certainly have not gone missing.

    I think the way in which the Colombian government, President Barco and now President Gaviria, have tackled the problems of the guerrillas and the problems of violence has been remarkable, remarkable for their persistence, remarkable for their courage and remarkable for the growing success that they have had and I warmly congratulate them on what they have achieved.

    QUESTION (Alistair Campbell):

    Your visit has been overshadowed at home rather by what the Daily Telegraph calls a Cabinet crisis over Europe and I wonder what you are going to do to regain and maintain unity and whether you have considered conducting a reshuffle from South America?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    There is no Cabinet crisis and there is no difference of view whatever amongst any members of the Cabinet on the question of our European policy. I set out the government’s policy in the House of Commons last week, it has not changed, that policy is fully supported, has been in private and is in public by every member of the Cabinet and statements to that effect I understand have been issued this morning. I cannot tell over the medium term what the fate of the Maastricht treaty will be after the Danish referendum, until the Danes ratify the treaty clearly it cannot enter into force. But I can say this about the treaty, the treaty embodies much that we have long sought in Europe, it was worth attaining and I believe the treaty is worth keeping and it would be folly to throw away the gains that we have in that treaty rather than building on those gains for the future.

    So I think in the difficulties following the Danish referendum result we do need cool heads and careful coordination, but Cabinet has decided our policy and each and every single member of Cabinet fully supports that policy.

    QUESTION (Lida Fonseca):

    Bearing in mind that Great Britain takes over the Presidency of the Community in the second half of this year, how will that affect and play through into the Community’s and Britain’s relations with Latin America; and what is the state of the races so far as the Argentine claim on the Falkland Islands is concerned?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    On the latter point, there is no change in the relationship. The Falklands in international law and in our view are British and remain so. But beyond that we are of course keen to improve our relationship with Argentina and are doing so and we will continue to do so in the future.
    On the first part of your question over the European Community, the position is as follows. There is a general wish in the community, both amongst the nations bilaterally and the Community collectively to improve its relationship with Latin America and we will continue that policy throughout the next six months. And in that respect I think my visit to Colombia and Rio, and the visit to Rio of many other European Heads of Government will greatly help in moving the policy.

  • Mr Major’s Message to the Falkland Islands – 20 December 1991

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s message to the Falkland Islands, recorded on 20th December 1991.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Norma and I are delighted to have this opportunity once again to send you our Christmas greetings and best wishes for a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

    Earlier this year, under the aegis of the United Nations, we and our allies liberated Kuwait from Saddam Hussein’s unlawful invasion. The role our Armed Forces played was magnificent.

    In what was once the Communist Bloc, the cause of freedom and representative government made further important advances but those advances were not only confined to Europe; throughout Latin America, democracy has become more deeply rooted, which is good news not only for Britain but for you. Democracies understand that governments cannot be imposed and understand our commitment to safeguard your rights.

    1991 has also been a good year for the Islands. We have reached important agreements with Argentina, including one reinforcing your security. There has also been the passage of the Bill to permit seismic surveying on the Continental Shelf which could well prove to be a landmark in your economic development. The Fisheries Agreement concluded with Argentina a year ago has worked well and both governments have recently agreed to renew the ban on fishing in the Falklands outer conversation zone.

    1991 has also seen the end of the proud tradition of service to the Falklands, South Georgia and the British Antarctic Territory of HMS “Endurance”. Sadly, her deteriorating condition after almost a quarter of a century of work in the South Atlantic and Antarctic has made it unsafe for her to continue to undertake another journey south. The Government are however committed to maintaining the programme previously carried out by “Endurance” for the foreseeable future. As many of you will know, we have chartered HMS “Polar Circle” to undertake “Endurance’s” work. I am sure that you will give her crew a very warm welcome when they arrive in Stanley at the end of this month.

    I am sorry that I cannot join the many well-wishers who will visit the Falklands during your Heritage Year; I should have loved to do so but getting away from Downing Street even as far as Chequers is quite an achievement these days. I shall be with you in spirit and keeping in touch with developments.

    May I also take this opportunity to send once again my best wishes and thanks to the men and women of our Armed Forces who are separated from their families at Christmas. We are very grateful to you and very proud of the work that you do.

    A Very Happy Christmas to you all!

  • Christmas Message to the Falkland Islands – 12 December 1990

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Christmas Message to the Falkland Islands on Wednesday 12th December 1990.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    This is my first opportunity to speak to you as Prime Minister. Norma and I want to wish you a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

    1990 has really been a remarkable year for all of us. We have seen sweeping changes throughout Europe. The Berlin Wall has come down and Germany has been reunified again. And now we face a very difficult situation in the Gulf as a result of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. Our Armed Forces are there to help recover the liberty and independence of a small country, precisely as they did for the Falklands in 1982.

    In your part of the world there has been the agreement to restore full diplomatic relations between Britain and Argentina. I believe this will be helpful in the future, not least of course because it will make the South Atlantic a more peaceful and stable area. And now that we have the agreement on fisheries conservation as well, the prospect is far brighter that fishing will provide an important source of revenue for the long-term.

    I do assure you that we achieved these agreements with Argentina without in any way compromising our position on British sovereignty. You need be in no doubt that we will continue to honour our commitments to you.

    All of you know how close the interests of the Falkland Islands and their people were to my predecessor, Margaret Thatcher. They are equally close to mine.

    Norma and I would very much like to visit you and hope one day to be able to do so. I know for the moment you will understand how difficult it is to get away. In the meantime, therefore, Tristan Garel-Jones, the Minister of State at the Foreign Office, will be visiting the Falkland Islands early next year. I know that he hopes to meet as many of you as possible and he will then report fully to me when he returns. I am sure you will give him a generous welcome.

    May I also take this opportunity to send my warmest wishes to the men and women of the Armed Forces who are far away from their families at Christmas. We are grateful to them and proud of them.

    A Very Happy Christmas to you all.