Nobel peace laureates call for Falklands talks

Six Nobel Peace Prize laureates called Tuesday for Britain to open talks with Argentina on the sovereignty of the Falklands Islands, ahead of the 30th anniversary of a war between the two nations. Adolfo Perez Esquivel, the Argentine artist and 1980 peace prize recipient for his protests against the military dictatorship, said he and five other laureates issued a statement calling on Britain to reconsider its position rejecting any dialogue over the South Atlantic archipelago. The six signed a letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron recommending he "review the British government's position of refusing to dialogue on this matter." They also called for the British government to "comply with United Nations resolutions calling for the initiation of talks with the Republic of Argentina." The others signing the letter included 1992 peace prize winner Rigoberta Menchu of Guatemala, Mairead Maguire of Ireland (1976), South African Desmond Tutu (1984), US national Jody Williams (1997) and Iran's Shirin Ebadi (2003). Tensions have been rising in Argentina and Britain just ahead of the anniversary of the start of Falklands War in 1982. The remote South Atlantic archipelago has been bitterly disputed between the two countries. Argentina has also complained about Prince William's deployment to the South Atlantic archipelago. He returned to Britain last week. Britain has held the Falklands since 1833, but Buenos Aires claims they are occupied Argentine territory and condemned the prince's tour as a "provocation." William's deployment added to the escalating tensions ahead of this year's 30th anniversary of the war between Britain and Argentina over the islands. On April 2, 1982, the then-ruling junta in Argentina invaded the Falklands, sparking a 74-day war with Britain which cost the lives of 649 Argentine and 255 British troops.