Tueday, April 03, 2007
CARACAS (AFP) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez proclaimed on Monday that the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina on the 25th anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the territory which sparked a war with Britain.
"Enough already with colonialism," Chavez said on state television voicing solidarity with his fellow South American country which still lays claim to the British-run islands in the south Atlantic.
"Venezuela is among the countries demanding dialogue with Britain, which does not want to discuss it," he said.
"Today we pay tribute to those Argentine soldiers who gave their lives attempting to recover what belonged to them," he said.
Chavez did not miss the opportunity to criticize the United States, which he often refers to as "the empire," and which he said "disgraced" itself by aiding Britain in the conflict.
He also criticized Latin American countries that stood by "with their arms folded" during the 10-week conflict except for Cuba, "the only government that offered to send troops to go fight."
Chavez also proposed setting up a South American military organization for similar situations in the future.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher, prime minister during the 1982 Falklands War, paid homage to British veterans on the 25th anniversary of the conflict in low-key ceremonies in London.
More than 900 people died -- including 649 Argentine and 255 British troops and three islanders -- during air, land, and sea hostilities.
"Enough already with colonialism," Chavez said on state television voicing solidarity with his fellow South American country which still lays claim to the British-run islands in the south Atlantic.
"Venezuela is among the countries demanding dialogue with Britain, which does not want to discuss it," he said.
"Today we pay tribute to those Argentine soldiers who gave their lives attempting to recover what belonged to them," he said.
Chavez did not miss the opportunity to criticize the United States, which he often refers to as "the empire," and which he said "disgraced" itself by aiding Britain in the conflict.
He also criticized Latin American countries that stood by "with their arms folded" during the 10-week conflict except for Cuba, "the only government that offered to send troops to go fight."
Chavez also proposed setting up a South American military organization for similar situations in the future.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher, prime minister during the 1982 Falklands War, paid homage to British veterans on the 25th anniversary of the conflict in low-key ceremonies in London.
More than 900 people died -- including 649 Argentine and 255 British troops and three islanders -- during air, land, and sea hostilities.
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