P.M.’s plan for islands

Press, 5 June 1982, Page 8

P.M.’s plan for islands

NZPA London The British Prime Minister (Mrs is aiming for independence for the Falkland Islands, according to several of her aides.

She has now abandoned the idea of United Nations trusteeship in the Falklands in favour of retaking the islands, re-establishing British administration, reconstruction, and consulting the islands’ inhabitants on their future. The sources said this information was based on Mrs Thatcher’s statements to Parliament. If the 1800 Falklanders wanted to join Argentina let them, the aides said, but after two months of Argentine occupation it was certainly not what they would choose. The source said the “Kelpers” would prefer to live in their own way, under democratic control.

Mrs Thatcher envisaged independence for the Falklands not under United Nations trusteeship, but that of other friendly countries, the sources said.

The Government was prepared to pay the necessary price to maintain a garrison on the Falklands to. rebuff any future Argentine aggression and the "Kelpers,” wpuld.be encouraged to develop the islands’ economy to become self-sufficient, the sources said.

Observers noted that Mrs Thatcher’s hard line approach has therefore prevailed over that of other Cabinet Ministers who maintain that a settlement must take into account the Falklands’ physical link to Argentina.

Until the invasion on April 2 the “Kelpers” had depended on Argentina for supplies and transport. If Argentina refused to" recognise their future status Britain would take the necessary measures to remove the Falklands’ dependence on Argentina, by building a longer airstrip at Port Stanley for example.