Argentina's president pushes Falklands claim at UN
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is pressing her country's claim to the Falkland Islands Credit: PA
Argentina's president has taken her country's claim to the Falkland Islands to the United Nations, challenging Britain to "act more intelligently" and sit down to talk about the future of the Islands.
In a highly emotional speech President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner chose to appear at the little-known UN Decolonisation Committee on the 30th anniversary of Britain's ousting of an Argentinian invasion force from the Falklands.
The president used the occasion to reiterate Argentina's opposition to any more wars and to criticise the prime minister's decision to mark the day by flying the Falklands flag over his official 10 Downing Street residence.
Speaking about the hundreds of deaths in the 74-day conflict over the islands, she said: "I felt shame from far away for them because wars are not to be celebrated or commemorated."
Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez. Credit: PA
The Secretary-General and President Fernández discussed the issue of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).
The Secretary-General acknowledged the strong regional support for this issue and reiterated that his offices are still keen to work to resolve this dispute, but the parties must be willing to engage.
Thirty years to the day after the Falklands war ended, the Argentine President will be ramping up the rhetoric over her country's claim to the islands at the United Nations. Cristina Kirchner's speech will be symbolic, coming on the anniversary of the day hostilities ended.
Our Washington Correspondent Robert Moore reports from the UN in New York.
Falkland Islanders mark 30th anniversary of liberation
Islanders, veterans and members of the armed forces attend the Liberation Memorial in Stanley in East Falkland. Credit: PA Wire
Islanders, veterans and members of the armed forces marked the 30th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkand Islands today at a service of thanksgiving held at Stanley's Christ Church Cathedral.
A veteran at the Liberation Memorial in Stanley in East Falkland. Credit: PA Wire
Around 400 islanders braved the stormy conditions to pay tribute to their dead.
The war ended on June 14 1982 after Argentinian commander General Mario Menendez surrendered at Stanley.
A young girl holds a wreath at the Liberation Memorial in Stanley. Credit: Press Association
225 British serviceman, three Falkland Islanders and 655 Argentinian soldiers lost their life in the conflict.
The service was attended by Foreign Officer minister Jeremy Brown.
A group of Falkland Islanders outside the United Nations building in New York. Credit: ITV News
A group of Falkland Islanders have travelled to the United Nations building in New York to hear President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner argue that the islands should belong to Argentina.
Two members of the islands' Legislative Assembly are hoping to address the UN's decolonisation committee to say they want Argentina to leave them alone. Islander Mike Summer said the committee should put the wishes of the people who live there before the interests of anyone else:
"Their responsibility is not to the United Kingdom or to Argentina. It is to the people of the self-governing British territory."
Argentina: Britain must negotiate the future of the Falklands
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will address the United Nations decolonisation committee this evening, Credit: REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
She is expected to argue that the islands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina, are still important to the people of Argentina, and that the UK should "stop ignoring" the work of the UN committee and sit down to proper negotiations on their future.
Foreign Office Minister: 'Falklands is a live issue and not just an historical one'
Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne has pledged to continue to defend the Falkland Islands from Argentina on the 30th anniversary of the South Atlantic territory's liberation.
The Liberal Democrat MP said: "The Falkland Islands is still a live issue and not just an historical one. We want to make sure that the Argentineans and people right around the world understand that the self determination of the people on the island is sacrosanct.
"They are front and centre stage and we will do what's necessary so they can retain their freedom."
Paratroopers parade in Colchester to mark 30th anniversary of the Falklands War
Paratroopers paraded in their hometown of Colchester today to mark the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War.
A drum head service was held at Hollytrees Museum Gardens in Castle Park to commemorate The Parachute Regiments involvement in the 1982 conflict and honour those who were killed in action.
Both 2nd and 3rd Battalions of The Parachute Regiment, then based in Aldershot and Tidworth respectively and now at Colchesters Merville Barracks, played a key role in the British task force sent to successfully repel the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands.
