Crosswords1 min ago
The Falkland Islands
Isn't it time that the British government did the honorable thing and handed
back the Falklands to Argentina, the rightful owners?
back the Falklands to Argentina, the rightful owners?
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For the reasons that nibble outlines which sums up Argentina's very weakened and self-inflicted position on this, the rights of the islanders and that geologically it has nothing to do with Argentina.
If we were to mirror the Argies, then let's have our chunks of France back.....but then we weakened our position when Clement Attlee turned down the French proposition to uniting under George VI.
Hong Kong, I think, Thatcher et al, mucked it up. We could have exited with Hk as an independent entity akin to Monaco, with its defence assured by China as France provides that to the Principality. Why would the Chinese have bought it, because this could have provided the model for taking back in the far bigger prize of Taiwan on a similar basis......
If we were to mirror the Argies, then let's have our chunks of France back.....but then we weakened our position when Clement Attlee turned down the French proposition to uniting under George VI.
Hong Kong, I think, Thatcher et al, mucked it up. We could have exited with Hk as an independent entity akin to Monaco, with its defence assured by China as France provides that to the Principality. Why would the Chinese have bought it, because this could have provided the model for taking back in the far bigger prize of Taiwan on a similar basis......
You need to study your history a little, Boy-Blue, before making such wild claims.
The Falkland Islands have never been under the control of Argentina. For the brief period in the early 1830s (to which the current Argentinian PM refers) when “Argentinians” were said to control the islands Argentina was not an independent sovereign nation and had no head of state. The “recognition” to which mushroom refers was not as clear cut as it seems. Britain informally recognized Argentine independence on 15 December 1823, as the "province of Buenos Aires" and formally recognised it on 2 February 1825. But like the US did not recognise the full extent of the territory claimed by the new state. In fact if anything Spain and France have better claims to the islands.
However, that is now somewhat irrelevant. The people in the Falkland Islands (however they got there) have voted overwhelmingly to remain British. It is somewhat amusing of the Argentine PM to suggest that the UK is exercising colonialism when, if her demands are met, would result in Argentina doing exactly the same thing. The only difference is that her approach would pay no heed to the wishes of the Falkland Islanders and whilst that may not have been a concern in the nineteenth century it most certainly is now.
I visited the Falklands long before they became famous in 1982 and I can tell you that the population have absolutely no wish to have any association whatsoever with Argentina. There would be nothing “honourable” in handing over (note, not handing back) the islands to Argentina.
The Falkland Islands have never been under the control of Argentina. For the brief period in the early 1830s (to which the current Argentinian PM refers) when “Argentinians” were said to control the islands Argentina was not an independent sovereign nation and had no head of state. The “recognition” to which mushroom refers was not as clear cut as it seems. Britain informally recognized Argentine independence on 15 December 1823, as the "province of Buenos Aires" and formally recognised it on 2 February 1825. But like the US did not recognise the full extent of the territory claimed by the new state. In fact if anything Spain and France have better claims to the islands.
However, that is now somewhat irrelevant. The people in the Falkland Islands (however they got there) have voted overwhelmingly to remain British. It is somewhat amusing of the Argentine PM to suggest that the UK is exercising colonialism when, if her demands are met, would result in Argentina doing exactly the same thing. The only difference is that her approach would pay no heed to the wishes of the Falkland Islanders and whilst that may not have been a concern in the nineteenth century it most certainly is now.
I visited the Falklands long before they became famous in 1982 and I can tell you that the population have absolutely no wish to have any association whatsoever with Argentina. There would be nothing “honourable” in handing over (note, not handing back) the islands to Argentina.
Argentine claims to the "Isla Malvinas" come round every 30-40 years, or when their economy is in extremis whichever is earlier, see
1884: Argentina request that the sovereignty dispute is submitted to independent arbitration, Britain refuses. The first mention of the Falkland Islands by Argentina for 34 years.
1941: The issue of the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is raised by Argentina in a Message to Congress. This is the first time since the signing of the Convention of Settlement in 1850.
1945: Formation of the United Nations, Argentina states its claim to the islands in its opening address
1982: Various tensions, but mainly the desire of the Argentine military junta to distract attention from domestic economic and political ills, led to an Argentine invasion.
2012: Argentina economy in dire straits, resumption of Argentina claim to Falklands (again - yawn)
1884: Argentina request that the sovereignty dispute is submitted to independent arbitration, Britain refuses. The first mention of the Falkland Islands by Argentina for 34 years.
1941: The issue of the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is raised by Argentina in a Message to Congress. This is the first time since the signing of the Convention of Settlement in 1850.
1945: Formation of the United Nations, Argentina states its claim to the islands in its opening address
1982: Various tensions, but mainly the desire of the Argentine military junta to distract attention from domestic economic and political ills, led to an Argentine invasion.
2012: Argentina economy in dire straits, resumption of Argentina claim to Falklands (again - yawn)
Ah but then again, 'Las Malvinas' is a corrupted form of 'Les Malouines', i.e. of St Malo in France, who were among the first settlers (as opposed to 'owners'). But St Malo being in Brittany, I know several people from that area who would like to be independent from France anyway and feel they have more in common with the Welsh, so maybe the Falklands should be handed over to Wales.....
Or maybe just leave them as they are as the whole concept of colonial ownership is a bit outdated?
Or maybe just leave them as they are as the whole concept of colonial ownership is a bit outdated?
New Judge has said it all. Argentina never owned the Falklands, so talk of 'giving back' the islands is mistaken.
But forgetting the history, what does Argentina think would happen if the UK suddenly betrayed the islanders and handed them over to Argentine rule? Do they really think that those proud British people would just shrug their shoulders and knuckle under? In fact, they would be incandescent with rage at the betrayal and would not accept Argentine sovereignty for a moment. There would be civil disobedience, rebellion and civil war with guerrillas in the hills making a fight of it.
And they would be true freedom fighters, striving for democracy and self-determination against an alien government imposed on them against their will. And isn't Britain committed to support such people?
Forget it; it will never happen. Just ignore the Argies.
But forgetting the history, what does Argentina think would happen if the UK suddenly betrayed the islanders and handed them over to Argentine rule? Do they really think that those proud British people would just shrug their shoulders and knuckle under? In fact, they would be incandescent with rage at the betrayal and would not accept Argentine sovereignty for a moment. There would be civil disobedience, rebellion and civil war with guerrillas in the hills making a fight of it.
And they would be true freedom fighters, striving for democracy and self-determination against an alien government imposed on them against their will. And isn't Britain committed to support such people?
Forget it; it will never happen. Just ignore the Argies.
