Panama hears the case for democracy and the Falklands

“If you believe in democracy you have to believe in self-determination” is a message being carried to Central America by the Falkland Islands, known to Argentina as Las Malvinas.

The bearer of the message is Doctor Barry Elsby, a member of the Falklands Legislative Assembly who was one of the 92 percent of the population who, in a recent referendum gave an overwhelming endorsement to remaining under the British flag, which has flown there for nearly 200 years.  92 percent of islanders  turned  out to vote and 98.2 percent votedd for the status quo.The islands are designated as a British Overseas territory and largely govern themselves with Britain being responsible for foreign affairs and providing defense.

The referendum was monitored by an independent mission of monitors  from the US, Canada, New Zealand and several Latin American countries.
At a reception at the British ambassadorial residence on April 4, Dr Elsby said that the islanders are, like their counterparts in the UK, usually reticent, but during the lead up to the referendum became outspoken, and line up in their hundreds in bad weaver conditions to cast their ballots.
He explained how the short but bloody Falklands war of 1982 had led to benefits for both the islanders and their Argentinian protagonists.
For the islanders the economy has grown with the development of tourism and exports like calamari, wool and fish, and the future looks bright as an oil exporting country by 2017.
Argentina benefited from the downfall of the military regime with its record of the brutal suppression of human rights. It has been replaced with democratically elected governments and the perpetrators of human rights crimes are being brought to justice.
Dr Elsby, who was born in Wales arrived in the Falkands in 1990 with his wife, also a doctor on a two year contract. They fell in love with the Islands and remained.
He was accompanied by Keysteen Oemand, born in the Falklands, and currently earning a master’s degree at Nottingham University. She explained that on completing her studies she will return”home” to take part in the development of her country.
A British government statement on the results of the referendum said “We believe that the population of the Islands is sending to the international community a definite message about what they want.”
“We hope that the result will deter Argentina from misrepresenting the views of the islanders and to cease its harassment policy towards them, ignoring the will of the people.
“We urge all democratic countries to recognize that the result of this referendum is a clear expression of the desire of the people of the Falkland Islands”.
It is a message that Dr Elsby and Keysteen expound loud and clear, and it got a warm reception from their listeners in Panama, Whether it will be heard in Buenos Aires is another matter.