
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 27, 1990                   TAG: 9004270392
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA                                LENGTH: Short

ARGENTINA LAYS CLAIM TO FALKLANDS

Argentina's Congress voted Thursday to claim the Falkland Islands, eight years after losing a war with Britain over the remote South Atlantic archipelago. Britain immediately objected to the measure, which appeared largely symbolic.

The legislation, approved despite opposition by Argentina's Foreign Ministry, declares the Falklands - known in Argentina as the Malvinas - to be part of the new Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego. It also covers the Sandwich and South Georgia islands, also British possessions.

In London, a spokesman for the British Foreign Office, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "We don't accept this or any other Argentinian claim to British territory."

President Carlos Menem said the measure "does not signify that England recognize our sovereignty, but rather, simply, that we ratified the Malvinas are ours." He added he did not expect the move to "cause obstacles" in relations with Britain. - Associated Press

by CNB