izttion can testify to that. 254. There are still a few very small dependent territories of the United Kingdom which have, like the Falklands. decided of their own free, democratic choice not to seek full sovereign independence because of the size of their populations and the limitations of theil. resources. This is their free choice, not a conse- cluence of such preposterous nonsense as colonial oppressiiin. 255. None of the Latin American speakers today hils uttered cries of rage because, for example, there :lre still islands in the Caribbean which fall into this cutcgory. It seems that their objurgations apply only to n territory which happens to be claimed by Argen- tinn. I have listened carefully for any, any serious, mention of the people of the Falkland Islands. I have heard none. The Falklands are not uninhabited rocks. They contain a people, small in number put peaceful, harmless and homogeneous. They have chosen to rcrnain British of their free, democratic choice, That is the right which we are protecting, and which we shall continue to protect. 256. I now turn to the question of self-defence. I think I dealt adequately in my statement yesterday [2.16Ur/z rnc~li,zg] with other issues which have been rnised today, such as the question of who was respon- sible fc>r breaking off the latest negotiations, who has shown flexibility and who has been rigid. I will only stirte again that it was not my Government which brought the last round of negotiations to an unsuccess- ful conclusion and that my Government has through- out shown the maximum flexibility consonant with the firm maintenance of principles which we will not itbandon. 257. First, we are dealing with a simple case of cause and effect. The cause of the present crisis is the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a political statement or speech, likely related to a territorial dispute or conflict. The language used is formal and diplomatic, with a focus on justifying the UK's position and actions. The text mentions the Falkland Islands, a specific geographic location, and references negotiations and self-defense. These indicators suggest that the text is related to international relations, politics, and possibly conflict resolution.

**Category**
International relations, Politics