United Nations Must Shoulder Responsibility to End Colonial Occupations, Demand Speakers in Fourth Committee
Delegations Decry ‘Agonizingly Slow’ Progress towards Self-determination
Halfway into the Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, the United Nations must rise to its responsibilities and put an end to colonial occupations once and for all, delegates stressed today as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its general debate on the issue.
Progress towards decolonizing the world’s 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories had been “agonizingly slow”, some speakers said, calling on the Organization to engage with the peoples of those Territories and ensure their right to self-determination. They also called upon the administering Powers to negotiate with a view to ending longstanding territorial disputes.
“The persistence of colonialism and foreign occupations is a travesty of the universal principle of political and economic freedom for all peoples,” Pakistan’s representative said. The United Nations had a moral responsibility to the Non‑Self‑Governing Territories and their peoples, she said, stressing that the people of those Territories looked to the United Nations with hope every year.
Voicing full support for all peoples living under colonization, Saudi Arabia’s representative emphasized that occupation in all its forms was a violation of democracy and of the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Human Rights. She went on to underline the right of the Palestinian people, in particular, to self-determination. A timetable must be set up to end the Israeli occupation, she said.
A number of delegates pointed out the overall ineffectiveness of the United Nations decolonization machinery in ending the suffering of peoples in the Non‑Self‑Governing Territories. “This Committee has become an accomplice in the untold sorrow of humanity in those Territories,” said Uganda’s representative.
He joined a number of other speakers in expressing support for the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination. Uganda was “profoundly proud” of the struggle of the Saharan people, he said, calling for an end to the “humiliating bondage” forced upon them. Western Sahara remained the only colony on the African continent, and African Union Heads of State and Government firmly supported independence for the Territory.
“As Africans, we are ashamed that while the entire continent has fought to free itself from colonialism, Western Sahara is still being held hostage by another African country,” said Botswana’s representative. Morocco’s illegal occupation of the Territory constituted a flagrant violation of international law, and a lack of progress towards finding a just political solution was both distressing and deeply disheartening.
However, other speakers welcomed Morocco’s efforts to find a lasting solution to the dispute over the Territory. In particular, many voiced support for Morocco’s 2007 proposal for Saharan autonomy as a viable way forward. In that vein, Côte d’Ivoire’s representative said the plan remained a “serious and credible basis” for a negotiated political settlement to the dispute.
Also today, many delegates expressed support for Argentina’s claim of sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Islands and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas. Endorsing that claim, the representative of El Salvador also expressed support for Argentina’s position on activities relating to the exploration and exploitation of resources in and around the islands, warning against the introduction of “unilateral modifications” to the situation of the islands while the dispute remained unresolved.
Similarly, Nicaragua’s representative rejected the occupation and militarization of part of Argentina’s territory. The United Kingdom continued to ignore and challenge the universal call made by the international community upon both parties to renew negotiations over the sovereignty dispute. “It is time to see these colonial enclaves returned to Argentina,” she emphasized.
However, the United Kingdom’s representative, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, responded that his country had no doubt as to its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas)[1], or about the right to self-determination of the Territory’s people. There could be no dialogue on sovereignty unless the islanders so wished, he emphasized.
Also speaking today were the representatives of Honduras, Turkey, Iraq, Bahrain, Togo, Cuba, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Central African Republic, Jordan, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Viet Nam, Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, Gabon and Burundi.
Also speaking in exercise of the right of reply were the representatives of India, Pakistan and Argentina.
The Fourth Committee will reconvene Thursday, 15 October, at 10 a.m. to conclude its general debate on decolonization and to take up a number of related draft resolutions.
Background
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning to continue its general debate on decolonization issues. For further background information, see Press Release GA/SPD/580 of 8 October.
Statements
DULCE SÁNCHEZ (Honduras), associating herself with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Non-Aligned Movement, said that dialogue was needed between the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories and the Special Committee on Decolonization. Honduras was particularly concerned about Non‑Self‑Governing Territories in Latin America, but was pleased with resolutions on the Malvinas Islands. Expressing support for Argentina’s sovereignty over the islands, she called for the renewal of efforts to resolve that dispute. Honduras also recognized the efforts made by various United Nations agencies, and urged Member States to strengthen the Organization’s efforts on decolonization.
Y. HALIT ÇEVIK (Turkey) said that, as a founding member of the United Nations, his country viewed the eradication of colonialism as one of the prominent principles of its foreign policy. The republic had always been and continued to be a dedicated supporter of the aspirations of people living under colonial rule to exercise their right to self-determination and independence, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of December 1960. Any efforts towards self‑determination must originate from within and reflect the will of the people living in Non-Self-Governing Territories, which was a fundamental element for the legitimacy of any decision concerning self-determination. Administering Powers should safeguard the inalienable rights of those peoples to economic and social development until they attained independence.
SUZAN AHMAD MUHSEN (Iraq), associating herself with the Non-Aligned Movement, underlined the importance of the legitimate and inalienable right to self-determination by peaceful means. Since the creation of the United Nations, 80 colonial territories and the people living in them had regained their sovereignty, she noted, voicing Iraq’s support for the Committee’s continuing dialogue with Territories under colonial rule, according to the specificity of each. Finally, in the Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, Iraq also believed in the right of the Palestinian people to an independent State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the application of all relevant resolutions.
FAISAL ALZAYANI (Bahrain) said the history books illustrated the suffering of people living under the yoke of colonialism until the middle of the last millennium, although it was difficult, in these times, to imagine that terrible violation of human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights underlined the dignity of all members of the human family and their claims to freedom, justice and peace. The Sustainable Development Goals especially applied to colonialism, he said, because they set forth measures to remove obstacles to social development so that they could free themselves from the weight of colonialism. The Kingdom of Bahrain also supported Morocco on the implementation of its autonomy plan for Western Sahara, he said.
RICHARD NDUHUURA (Uganda) said it was unfortunate that, 70 years after its formation, the United Nations had not lived up to the people’s expectations as there were still 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories. “This Committee has become an accomplice in the untold sorrow of humanity in those Territories,” he said, adding that his country was “profoundly proud” of the struggle of the Saharan people, as it was “just, noble and indispensable” to put an end to the humiliating bondage forced upon them. Western Sahara remained the only colony on the African continent, and African Union Heads of State and Government firmly supported independence for the Territory. Despite decisions by those Heads of State and Government, as well as resolutions of the Security Council and General Assembly, including the mandate to hold a referendum in Western Sahara, “flagrant and countless violations of human rights, drug trafficking and illegal exploitation of natural resources” had become the order of the day under the watch of the international community. Failure to resolve the crisis might exacerbate terrorist activities by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Sham (ISIL/ISIS), Boko Haram and Al-Qaida in the Sahel region, he warned.
CLAUDE STANISLAS BOUAH-KAMON (Côte d’Ivoire), associating himself with the Non‑Aligned Movement, said that, at a time when the international community had adopted the post-2015 sustainable development agenda, the world was still unfortunately witnessing a number of territorial conflicts in many regions around the world. Those situations constituted a serious obstacle to socioeconomic development. Efforts to resolve the dispute in Western Sahara through a mutually acceptable solution should be pursued. He called on the parties to that conflict to exercise a spirit of compromise and welcomed the efforts of Morocco to find a lasting solution, reiterating his full support for that country’s autonomy plan. The initiative, viewed by the Security Council as a “serious and credible basis” for negotiated political settlement of the dispute, remained pertinent, he said, calling upon the parties to continue their efforts to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara and in the Tindouf camps.
KODJO MENAN (Togo) said it was disappointing that decolonization was not yet complete and that more and more negotiations were required to move the process forward in relation to the remaining 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories. The impasse on the question of Western Sahara had revived Togo’s concerns at a time when the region found itself in the middle of terrorist activity, but the country wished to refrain from actions that could threaten the positive dynamic fostered by Morocco and the United Nations to resolve the situation. Togo supported Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only credible framework to resolve the question of Western Sahara, with the support of the United Nations, he said, urging the parties concerned to find a political agreement that was fair and mutually acceptable.
OSCAR LEÓN GONZÁLEZ (Cuba), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement and CELAC, said the question of Puerto Rico had been considered for 40 years now, and 34 United Nations resolutions reaffirmed the right of the Puerto Rican people to self‑determination. The people of Puerto Rico were not independent; they were still under colonial rule. Also, Oscar López Rivera remained incarcerated for having fought for their rights. CELAC leaders had reiterated that Puerto Rico was a Caribbean and Latin American nation, and had renewed their interest in advancing the Territory’s right to exist as a Latin American nation. Furthermore, under the principle that the region of Latin America and the Caribbean remained free of colonialism, Cuba supported the rights of its sister republic of Argentina over the Malvinas, and called upon the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom to seek a negotiated, just and lasting solution to the dispute between them.
CHARLES T NTWAAGAE (Botswana), associating himself with the African Group and the Non-Aligned Movement, said he was deeply concerned that, despite the sustained efforts of the United Nation, the people of Western Sahara continued to be denied their inalienable right to self-determination and independence. “As Africans, we are ashamed that while the entire continent has fought to free itself from colonialism, Western Sahara is still being held hostage by another African country,” he said. Morocco’s illegal occupation of Western Sahara constituted a flagrant violation of international law, and a lack of progress towards finding a just political solution was both distressing and deeply disheartening, he said, urging the Government of Morocco to cooperate in resolving the conflict and to hold a free and fair referendum so that the Saharans could freely decide their own fate.
RUBÉN IGNACIO ZAMORA RIVAS (El Salvador), associating himself with CELAC, said that every nation should enjoy the inalienable right to self-determination. Endorsing the rights of Argentina over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Islands and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas, he stressed that the issue had become increasingly important, and expressed support for a negotiated resolution of the dispute. El Salvador also supported Argentina’s position on activities relating to the exploration and exploitation of resources in and around the islands, and warned against the introduction of “unilateral modifications” to the situation of the islands while the dispute remained unresolved.
Regarding Western Sahara, he said his delegation attached great importance to granting the people of that Territory the right of self-determination, while supporting and endorsing resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly on the matter, including Assembly resolution 67/129. On Puerto Rico, he endorsed the Declaration of the CELAC Heads of State and Government which had affirmed the Latin American and Caribbean character of that Territory. Finally, he requested that the United Nations continue to exert efforts to disseminate information on decolonization in all six official languages.
MARIA RUBIALES DE CHAMORRO (Nicaragua), associating herself with CELAC, said it had been an honour to hold the Regional Seminar on Decolonization in her country in May. Unfortunately, more than half of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories were in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Highlighting resolutions which characterized the dispute over the Malvinas as a bilateral one, she endorsed Argentina’s rights over the islands and the surrounding maritime areas, while rejecting the occupation and militarization of that part of Argentina. The United Kingdom continued to ignore and challenge the universal call made by the international community on both parties to renew negotiations over the sovereignty dispute. Further, Nicaragua reiterated its unconditional support for Argentina’s right to defend its territories. “It is time to see these colonial enclaves returned to Argentina,” she emphasized.
Turning to the question of Puerto Rico, she said the Committee had considered it for more than 40 years. The Committee and the General Assembly must meet their responsibility under resolution 1514 (XV), and the colonial Power must provide for a process whereby the Territory’s people could exercise their right to self-determination. The economic situation in Puerto Rico reflected the urgency of that task, she said, calling also for the immediate release of the political prisoner Oscar López Rivera. It was also regrettable that Western Sahara was prevented from exercising its right to self-determination, she said, expressing hope that the Secretary-General would visit the Territory and report to the General Assembly on his findings.
FREDERICK SHAVA (Zimbabwe), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said the United Nations should not shake off its responsibility to ensure self-determination for the peoples of the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, especially Western Sahara. The General Assembly had consistently recognized the inalienable rights of the Saharan people to self-determination and independence, and had called for the exercise of that right. At its twenty-fifth session, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, the African Union, recalling the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on Western Sahara, had urged the General Assembly to determine a date for the holding of a referendum on self-determination. It had also asked the Security Council to address the issues regarding respect for human rights, as well as the illegal exploitation of the Territory’s natural resources. Because of those activities, Zimbabwe supported the effort to provide the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) with a human rights mandate, he said, adding that the Mission’s initial mandate had been extended several times by the Security Council, which demonstrated that organ’s resolve to hold a referendum in Western Sahara and grant the Saharan people their long-overdue right to self-determination.
OYAMA MGOBOZI (South Africa), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara constituted a challenge to the principles of the United Nations Charter. The liberation of the “Sahrawi people” was a priority for Africa, he said, recalling that in August 2015, the African Union had issued a landmark legal opinion stating that Morocco had no right to explore and exploit any natural resources in the occupied Territory. Expressing concern that MINURSO remained the only peacekeeping mission without a human rights monitoring mechanism, he added that “shuttle diplomacy” was not working, and the “Sahrawi population” that had fled their homeland as refugees continued to live in camps.
AMBROISINE KPONGO (Central African Republic) said that the delicate issue of Western Sahara continued to require resolution, emphasizing that Morocco’s autonomy plan provided the only framework for the successful settlement of that dispute. The Central African Republic encouraged all parties concerned to resume negotiations in order to move towards a solution acceptable to all. With all the conflicts around the world, the United Nations should give preference to Western Sahara, she said, noting that the people of Western Sahara, in their recent regional and municipal elections, had demonstrated that they belonged historically and naturally to Morocco. The Moroccan plan would warm relations with the peoples of the Maghreb and prevent the region from the further spread of terrorist threats, benefiting the international community as a whole, she said.
MANAL RADWAN (Saudi Arabia) voiced full support for all peoples living under colonization, emphasizing that occupation in all its forms was a violation of democracy and of the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Human Rights. “The United Nations must rise to its responsibilities” to put an end to all forms of colonization, she said. Calling on the administering Powers to engage in dialogue and to work towards total decolonization, she went on to underline the right of the Palestinian people, in particular, to self-determination. A timetable must be set to end the occupation, in line with the Saudi proposal on that matter. Regarding Western Sahara, she welcomed efforts to reach a compromise solution, noting that autonomy would be a “good option”. A definite end to the conflict would be essential to regaining security in the Sahel region.
SONIA SUGHAYAR (Jordan) said that greater efforts towards decolonization were needed, as were the necessary political will and tangible, concrete measures on the part of the administering Powers. Colonialism was hampering economic cooperation and regional development, she stressed, calling on Member States to ensure full implementation of the Third Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. She underlined the importance of dispatching visiting missions to the Non‑Self‑Governing Territories so that they could collect important data and promote mediation efforts. Emphasizing that the right to self-determination should never be overlooked or violated, she said there was a territory in the Middle East that had not enjoyed that right for 65 years. Jordan called for a viable, independent and free Palestinian State. On Western Sahara, she said the United Nations was the “single umbrella” that could narrow the differences between the parties concerned. Morocco’s autonomy plan was a serious and credible one, she said.
MWABA KASESE-BOTA (Zambia) said that, as a proponent of decolonization and self-determination, her country had called for the restoration of the rights of the people of Western Sahara — Africa’s remaining Non-Self-Governing Territory — on the basis of the conviction that the self-determination of States was the grounds upon which democracy was founded. In that regard, Zambia supported appeals by the African Union Security Council for the United Nations Security Council to step up efforts and implement all measures necessary to expedite the end of the conflict in Western Sahara, and to effectively address issues relating to respect for human rights and the illegal exploitation of the Territory’s natural resources. Zambia also followed, with great concern, the prolonged impasse between Palestine and Israel, as well as their failure to adhere to several United Nations resolutions. Zambia reaffirmed its recognition of the Palestinian Authority as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people’s struggle for self-determination and their inalienable right to establish a homeland of their own, as well as admission to the United Nations as a full Member State.
MARIAME FOFANA (Burkina Faso) said the extensive international attention focused on the right of peoples to strengthen their own futures was a demonstration of the great respect for the multidimensional issues faced by those living in Non-Self-Governing Territories and their ability to solve them. Burkina Faso shared total solidarity with the peoples under control of the administering Powers and would continue its efforts to find solutions to territorial disputes. Western Sahara, in particular, remained a challenge for African States, she said, emphasizing that all parties concerned should resume dialogue and demonstrate a commitment to finding a compromise acceptable for all. Morocco’s proposed autonomy plan provided the most credible and realistic means to a settlement of the dispute and would allow States in the region to combat the growing scourge of terrorism, she added.
MALEEHA LODHI (Pakistan), associating herself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said “the persistence of colonialism and foreign occupations is a travesty of the universal principle of political and economic freedom for all peoples”. That principle could not be justified under any circumstance, and the United Nations had a moral responsibility to the Non-Self-Governing Territories and their peoples. “They look towards the United Nations every year, but sadly, progress has been agonizingly slow,” she said. A concerted effort was required for uniform and non-discriminatory implementation of the relevant resolutions. Selective implementation eroded the international community’s confidence and undermined the credibility of the United Nations system. In South Asia, the inalienable right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir was recognized and acknowledged by several Security Council resolutions, she noted. Pakistan was committed to finding a peaceful solution to that issue, which reflected the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The decolonization agenda of the United Nations would be incomplete without a resolution of that dispute. On that matter, Security Council resolutions remained unimplemented, and more than 100,000 Kashmiris had died in their struggle for self-determination. Three generations had seen broken promises, yet the brutal oppression continued, she said, adding that “it is the most persistent failure of the United Nations”.
PHAM QUANG HIEU (Viet Nam), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said that “only when people are free to determine their own destiny [will there] be less conflict and more economic development”. Reiterating his country’s full support for the decolonization process carried out by the United Nations in pursuit of the principles established in General Assembly resolution 1514, he noted, however, that the task was yet to be completed since 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories across the globe, home to nearly two million people, must be decolonized. That reality compromised efforts to ensure universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Noting recent progress in dialogue between Non-Self-Governing Territories and administering Powers, he underscored the need to continue talks in a constructive manner in order to promote the rights of peoples living in those Territories.
JUAN CARLOS MENDOZA-GARCÍA (Costa Rica), associating himself with CELAC, reiterated his full support for decolonization, but noted that the international community was still failing to make that process a distant memory. Costa Rica urged all administering Powers to transmit the required information on the Territories under their administration. He went on to reiterate support for the rightful claim of Argentina over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Islands and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas. Noting that the situation of those areas was a “special and particular” case, he said that any attempt to break the national unity and territorial integrity of a State was incompatible with the spirit of the United Nations. Costa Rica urged the parties to resume negotiations, as too many years had elapsed without progress. He added that his country would continue to strive for a just and lasting solution to the situation of Western Sahara, calling for a referendum that would grant the Saharan people the right to self-determination.
FRED SARUFA (Papua New Guinea), expressing support for the political process facilitated by the Secretary-General’s Envoy regarding the question of Western Sahara, welcomed Morocco’s commitment and other relevant parties to contribute to the process. The Moroccan autonomy initiative recognized the exercise of democratic methods, provided an avenue for the reunification of families separated by the dispute and offered a potential platform for a negotiated political settlement of that long-standing dispute. Further, while Papua New Guinea respected the mandates of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy and the Special Committee on Decolonization, it was also important to consider the necessity for synergy and coherence in addressing the issue, he emphasized.
BAUDELAIRE NDONG ELLA (Gabon), said the United Nations was a unique intergovernmental organization representing the peoples of the world, and recalled that it had made great strides in decolonization, especially in Africa. However, there remained 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories on its agenda. He appealed to all administering Powers to abide by relevant United Nations resolutions and to work towards decolonization. Gabon supported efforts made exclusively under the auspices of the United Nations relating to Western Sahara, where the security situation was characterized by many challenges, including the threat of terrorism. The situation must be approached very carefully, he emphasized, calling upon the Committee to “breathe new life” into that issue, while welcoming measures taken by Morocco in the area of human rights. All parties to the conflict should engage in substantive negotiations and show a spirit of “dynamic compromise” to decrease the risk of destabilization in the region, he stressed.
ALBERT SHINGIRO (Burundi) noted that the conflict in Western Sahara remained a bone of contention and continued to divide the international community. Insecurity in the Sahel region called for the Committee to resolve the conflict. The spread of terrorism across Africa had compelled States to take action in order to prevent it from reaching countries afflicted with institutional weakness. Burundi encouraged all parties to begin negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations and to accept that they would not get their own way in every disputed issue. Morocco’s proposed autonomy plan provided a realistic and viable option, laid out the framework for an acceptable compromise and promised stability and security in the Sahel, he said.
The representative of Benin, speaking on a point of order, asked why he had not been given time to speak.
The Chair replied that he had set aside 20 minutes to hear statements in exercise of the right of reply, and the remaining speakers on the list would be heard tomorrow.
Right of Reply
The representative of the United Kingdom, speaking in exercise of the right of reply in response to statements by a number of delegations, said his country had no doubt as to its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), or about the right to self-determination of the Territory’s people. There could be no dialogue on sovereignty unless the islanders so wished, he emphasized, adding that the United Kingdom was not militarizing the islands, but only using its military in self-defence.
The representative of India, also speaking in exercise of the right of reply in response to the statement by his counterpart from Pakistan, said the latter had regrettably made reference to Jammu and Kashmir, an integral part of India. Such references were completely irrelevant to the Committee, he stressed, pointing out that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had freely expressed their wishes through free and fair elections.
The representative of Pakistan responded by saying that resolution 1514 (XV) stated that all people had the right to self-determination. The denial of that right to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for more than 60 years was very much a matter of concern to the Committee. Jammu and Kashmir had never been an integral part of India, and the will of its people must be exercised by a free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations. That had never happened.
The representative of Argentina, speaking in exercise of the right of reply in response to the delegate from the United Kingdom, recalled that the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Islands and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas were “part and parcel” of Argentina illegally occupied by the United Kingdom. That occupation had led the General Assembly to adopt a number of resolutions recognizing the existence of a sovereignty dispute. It had urged the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom to resume negotiations towards a peaceful and lasting resolution to the dispute.
In that vein, he expressed regret that the Government of the United Kingdom had refused to resume negotiations. Instead of falsifying historical facts, it should honour the appeal of the General Assembly and work towards a negotiated settlement to the dispute. Argentina recognized the principle of self‑determination of all peoples subject to foreign occupation or domination; that was not the issue in the Malvinas, which was a “special and particular” case involving a sovereignty dispute. The assertion of the United Kingdom that it maintained a military presence only because of the events of 1982 was false. It went back to the nineteenth century, he said, emphasizing that Argentina posed no military threat. In contrast, the military actions of the United Kingdom were a threat to the region.
Taking the floor a second time, the representative of India said his counterpart from Pakistan should refrain from exercising the right of reply and instead use the “right of introspection” to consider the direction in which her country was moving.
Also taking the floor a second time, the representative of Pakistan responded by saying the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir could not be set aside through empty rhetoric, and would always be at the top of the agenda of any discussion between India and Pakistan. Further, the United Nations was the appropriate forum to raise the issue. She said the comment by her Indian counterpart about “introspection” was inappropriate, but despite that provocation, she would refrain from discussing insurgencies and other issues taking place in India.
[1] A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).