evidence: The Argentine Government recalls that the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Islands and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas are an integral part of the Argentine national territory and, being illegally occupied by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, are the subject of a sovereignty dispute between the two countries which is recognized by the United Nations and other international organizations. [...] The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rejects the claims contained in the Declaration made by the Argentine Republic. In particular, the United Kingdom rejects the claim by the Argentine Republic to the territory of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Islands and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas. The peaceful possession of these Islands and surrounding maritime areas by the United Kingdom cannot therefore be characterized as illegal occupation. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas. The United Kingdom Government attaches great importance to the principle of self determination as set out in Article 1.2 of the Charter of the United Nations and Article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. That principle underlies our position on the Falkland Islands.