What’s the deal with Obama and the Malvinas? US conservatives ask

A video produced by US think tank "Heritage Foundation" addressed to US President Barack Obama intends to change the White House’s decision of not recognising the outcome of the referendum that’s being held by Malvinas islanders.

Accusing President Obama of “being sided with Argentina”, and President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s calls for negotiations between London and Buenos Aires over the sovereignty of the Malvinas islands --which also includes South Georgia, and South Sandwich islands-- the video calls the White House stand as a mockery to the always “special relationship” between the US and the United Kingdom.

The video offers a history lesson about the Malvinas Islands, which is sided with Britain’s view, and why Washington should respect the right of the Islanders to decide their own future without intimidation and harassment from Buenos Aires.

Believe it or not, the video goes beyond the history of the islands but applies to the history between the US and the UK, as they require Obama to recognise the right to self-determination of the Malvinas Islanders, and “make the right thing”.

The material appears as an answer to the White house’s latest statements over the Malvinas sovereignty dispute, in which US Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated in a recent London visit that the US administration will not recognise the referendum

“Our position on the Falklands has not changed. The United States recognizes de facto UK administration of the islands, but takes no position on the question of the parties’ sovereignty claims thereto. And we support cooperation between UK and Argentina on practical matters, and we continue to urge a peaceful resolution of that critical issue. And I think that’s exactly what our position has been, that’s what it remains, and we look forward to the future”, Kerry said in a press conference in London at the UK’s Foreign Office.

Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution -a think tank- whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defence.