Cameron: Argentine President should respect outcome of referendum
David Cameron said he wanted to make it "absolutely clear" to the Argentine President that Falkland Islanders "have decided to hold a referendum about their future and if she believes in democracy, if she believes in self-determination, she should respect the outcome of that referendum".
The President of Argentina did not seek out Prime Minister Cameron.
Prime Minister Cameron approached first to talk about the economy and when the Argentine president was talking about the European crisis and the economy, he interrupted her and changed the subject.
This is a meeting to talk about the European crisis. The one that came forward trying to talk about an issue that wasn't on the agenda was Prime Minister David Cameron.
The Prime Minister David Cameron will talk about his frosty exchange with Christina Fernandez de Kirchner shortly.
Shortly, after a bilateral meeting at the G20 summit with the Indonesian President, he will refer to the moment earlier when he asked the leader of Argentina to accept the decision of the Falkland Islands to hold a referendum on their future sovereignty.
Downing Street aides said the David Cameron sought out Ms Kirchner to make Britain's position on the Falklands clear.
I am not proposing a full discussion now on the Falklands but I hope you have noted that they are holding a referendum and you should respect their views.
We should believe in self-determination and act as democrats here in the G20.
– David Cameron
Aides said Mr Cameron gave a "clear and calm message" which he repeated three times as his words were interpreted into Spanish.
Ms Kirchner was said to have responded with "ramblings" as she tried to hand the PM a package marked "UN - Malvinas", but Mr Cameron walked away.
Argentine President Kirchner shows Prime Minister David Cameron a document at the G20 summit. Credit: Argentinian Presidency
Images released by the Argentinian Government show David Cameron in conversation with Argentine President Kirchner, apparently discussing the Falkland Islands.
Argentine President Kirchner talks to Prime Minister David Cameron at the G20 summit. Credit: Argentinian Presidency
The Argentine President tried to hand David Cameron an envelope which contained a letter outlining the UN resolution on the Falklands, according to the Argentinian Presidency website.
The envelope which contained a letter outlining the UN resolution on the Falklands. Credit: Argentinian Presidency
UK officials have described Argentine President Kirchner as "rambling" in meeting with the Prime Minister. The document she was brandishing said "UN and Malvinas".
