An eight-foot high bust of the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, due to be unveiled in the Falkland Islands next month, is causing outrage among Argentinians, who consider the islands to be part of Argentina.
The country’s ambassador to London, Alicia Castro, told the Daily Mail that “What the U.K. is doing is celebrating war.”
Britain and Argentina fought a 10-week battle over control of the Falklands in 1982, with Britain retaining control of the islands.
Veteran leader in Argentina Mario Volpe said, “The statue is not a symbol of democracy. It’s her fault so many died.”
Thatcher’s son, Mark, is due in the Falklands capital, Stanley, in January for the unveiling ceremony.
The bust will rest at the end of Thatcher Drive. The statue cost £40,000 ($63,000), it also contains a brass plaque with the Thatcher quote: “They are few in number, but they have the right to live in peace, to choose their own way of life and determine their own allegiance.”
The bust will be monitored on a 24-hour basis by CCTV cameras to ensure that it is not defaced by those opposed to Britain's control of the islands.
Comments