COHA’s research (which is about to be released) on the current confrontation regarding the Falklands (Las Malvinas) is focused on the sovereignty question and the respective political assets afforded by the strong public relations stand being taken by Argentinean diplomacy and the U.K.’s relatively subdued and almost languorous response. The growing distance between a technologically superior British forces, and the deteriorating, rust bucket military that is Argentina’s today’s armed forces, along with Buenos Aires’ growing diplomatic pull in contrast to London’s relative isolation, become compelling factors that will ultimately modulate the rate of radicalization of the current bi-national dispute and take it back to safe harbor as it gradually fades. One solution explored by COHA would be to declare the entire Falklands region an eco-reserve, similar to the Yasuní-ITT area in Ecuador’s Amazon, and make tourism, and not oil extraction, the area’s principle economic activity.
I look forward to finding out how the author will propose turning the Falklands into a tourist destination. From what I have read the islands are a wind-swept, god-forsaken stretch of nothingness in the South Atlantic, which contribute lots of wool and lamb chops, and now oil. Visiting them would be akin to taking a summer holiday in the Hebrides: Interesting for about five minutes and quite boring, really. The Falklands are British territory, and are recognized as such by every international convention known to man. Argentina is like that uncle you never knew you had until you win the lottery: Once oil was discovered, the argument flares up again.
Shame on the British Empire!
The Islas Malvinas (wrongly called by the empire Falklands) belong to the Argentinean territory.
Since the beginning of last century, even British officials had been recognizing that.
It is about time that the UK government starts making negotiations (as per UN request) so that the Malvinas are return to Argentina.
32 countries just condemned UK's attitude not only for usurping that territory but also for its intention to steal oil.
A transitional government may be a good step towards the recuperation of Argentina's sovereignty.
Only British people seem to be out of the loop on this matter. The rest of the world condemns the empire and support Argentina's position.
Jefe… can you list those "international conventions known to man"…that dared to recognize the Malvinas as British territories? Not certainly within the UN framework, as you may (or not) know.
Either you or the rest of the World are wrong.. my jefe
note: in my rest of the World I also include the opinion of a significant % of Britons in the pre-Falkland War era (after such war their imperial egos were obviously exhacerbated and became more turf protectors, that's natural)
How about we put up a referendum and let the Falklanders (self-determination and all that) decide whether they want to remain part of the British Empire or join the Argentine republic? Something tells me the Anglophonic inhabitants won't really want to take Spanish lessons or learn to drive on the wrong side of the road.
The inhabitants of the Falklands are now Anglophones, and I am sure they prefer oil extraction because they will benefit from it. However, the islands originally belonged to Argentina. I think that a percentage of the oil income should be given to the Argentinean government to settle the matter.
Again, why? The Argentines ceded the islands to Great Britain in 1833. The Argentines don't deserve the oil any more than the U.S. deserves a portion of Mexico's silver production or Germany deserves Alsace-Lorraine or what have you. The mere fact that the Falklands are located near Argentina does not make them Argentinean. What is the historic claim Argentina has to these islands and how is that claim stronger than Britain's? The Argentines inhabited the islands for a grand total of five years, I believe, and the Argentine settlers were allowed to stay even after the British reasserted control. I would say 177 years of governance as a British colony compared to five years under Argentine rule pretty much makes the islands British through and through. As for the rest of the hemisphere's opinions, I can't really say they disturb Whitehall's sleep.
As a British citizen I feel it is completely absurd that Britain is trying to hold on to Islands located in the southern hemisphere. Let's face it – the Falkland/Malvinas war was a publicity stunt by both governments at the time to promote nationalism. For the British part It is shameful that Thatcher allowed hundreds to die so that she could win the next election. Now again Britain is playing the patriotism card to gain something from it – oil.
At school we are taught nothing about exploitation, arrogance and other negative aspects of the British Empire and many are still not aware of how much of the rest of the world sees our past. I wonder if the Falkland/Malvinas Islanders are aware of such aspects? By staying British they are lending a sense of legitimacy to the shameful past of the British Empire.
J.Beach
According to the people of America, the Falklands belong to Argentina. The European people do not back Britain. Support for the UK's position is stronger inthe U.S. than in Britain. This is no surprise, since US corporations control/own the (British in name only) oil companies. Why was the Falklands war fought ? One British vetern of the war said it was "Britain's first war as a stooge of big oil." By the way, El Jefe might want to know that there were few Jews living in Israel when it became independent ( also from Britain). The majority were Arabs-would El Jefe like to give Israel back to some Arab state?
And that's the way it was!
Regardless of the final outcome, Argentina can benefit by providing logistical support to British oil companies and as an r&r destination for British oil workers. It can also be the first destination of Falklands' crude for refining and distribution purposes. In this particular case, a win-win can be accomplished if both sides would look at the mutual benefits.
According to the constitution of the European Union, the Falkland islands/Malvinas are recognised by all European Union States as part of Europe. Any change in the sovreignty will require a change to the European Constitution, to be approved by all members. Any attack on the islands will be considered an attack on Europe. This is a significant change from the situation during the prevoius confrontation.
To be fair, look in the dictionary and im sure it says "self-governing British colony". It would be a total kick in the teeth for the families of those who died regaining the Islands back from the Argies.
They were well beaten back in the 80's, and they only start bumping gums when the word oil is banded around!. I like how the 'rest of the world' supports Argentina on the issue, in my view, 1) The UN Resolution 502 stated that Argentina needed to withdraw the troops when they 1st invaded and 2) they are just saving you from another beating if you attack a British colony again.
The Failed State of England
http://mat-rodina.blogspot.com/
"…So what will it take to finally bring the last of this rotting wreck of humanity down? Why the upcoming war with Argentina, over the Falklands, of course. England is stretched bare in Afghanistan, yelping like a good lapdog to the yanks, the very same yanks who are obviously siding with the financially broke and corrupt Latin Argentinians over the financially broke and corrupt Anglo English. There simply is no way that England can keep the Falklands and the oil wealth there and this loss may finally tumble the rot down, a shock that the system will not survive…"
What a load of complete drivel. Why do all these wankers have to but in where they are not wanted? What about the wishes of the people who live there? Why would any Falklander want to become part of a totalitarian state that murdered its own citizens(the dirty war of the 70's)? The Falklanders deserve the oil royalties.The oil is thiers, not some corrupt juanta in BA. And as for vernstorm's ridiculous remarks, Britain could eat argentina(and venezuela)for breakfast. l think next time the Brits will probably bomb the argentinian mainland. Argentina then should be given to Chile.