US won't recognise Malvinas islanders referendum

Recently appointed US Secretary of State John Kerry completed his first visit to the UK, where the official met his counterpart Foreign Secretary William Hague and told him that Washington will not recognize the result of next month's islanders referendum.

The meeting included the United States' position on the Malvinas Islands, and the American official was clear about the President Barack Obama’s administration position on the vote that will be held on March 10-11 and is expected to underline the islanders' determination to remain a British overseas territory in response to Argentina's claims over sovereignty.

The US State Department had said last month it recognized "de facto United Kingdom administration" of the Malvinas Islands but "takes no position regarding sovereignty".

When the public vote was announced last year, a US State Department official said: "We will not speculate on a referendum that has not taken place. Our position remains one of neutrality."