Should we be talking to Argentina about the Falklands?

[Silk]

Same thing. Let them have it. For what reason do we need sovereignty over a rock on the southern tip of Spain. Ridiculous. Not worth losing any British military lives over.

So you're not bothered by the wishes of the inhabitants, then?

 

[somerset]

So you're not bothered by the wishes of the inhabitants, then?

No he isnt, because he is simply not interested in the real story behind the rhetoric,... head in the sand.

 

[kjgood]

If the Islanders wish to be linked to Argentina following the results of the poll then fair enough. Until then, they are entitled to British Government protection and we should provide them with that protection.

 

[Surf's Up]

Oil

This

 

[Southern Scouse]

So if someone invaded the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Shetland Islands etc we should just sit on by while it happens?
It is about citizenship, not distance, although of course the future resources are also important. If the people vote to be British how can we deny them their birth right?

 

[somerset]

If the Islanders wish to be linked to Argentina following the results of the poll then fair enough. Until then, they are entitled to British Government protection and we should provide them with that protection.

Well thats what you would expect as a minimum for British Citizens anywhere in the world anyway, wouldnt you?

 

[Brovion]

If you had done a bit of research before putting down your two-penneth worth, you will have known that we were talking to the Argies on several fronts regarding shared mineral and oil exploration, shared logistical and economic deals regarding the Islands other resources including tourism,..... but twice the Argies kicked them into touch saying they wouldnt dicuss it until the UK handed over control of the Islands. Then came the war in '82 and nothing much other than south american rhetoric since.

I think you've just made a very good case for why we should be talking to them then. Neither side comes out of this with any credit at the moment as both are just using empty rhetoric, and rather like in Ireland some compromises will have to be made.

 

[somerset]

I think you've just made a very good case for why we should be talking to them then. Neither side comes out of this with any credit at the moment as both are just using empty rhetoric, and rather like in Ireland some compromises will have to be made.

I am not sure what Britain or the Falkland Islanders have done to attract criticism, as I said, we were in lengthy discussions about sharing the economic future of the Islands and its resources,... only for the Argentinians to break it all off.

 

[Danny-Boy]

Do they have a football team in the Falklands? If so what World Cup section are they in? Should be South America but maybe they have a qualifying group with Tristan da Cunha..

 

[Greyrun]

Pudrete.

 

[Brovion]

I am not sure what Britain or the Falkland Islanders have done to attract criticism, as I said, we were in lengthy discussions about sharing the economic future of the Islands and its resources,... only for the Argentinians to break it all off.

Yeah, that's what happens in negotiations, it's a bit of a dance and is certainly not sufficient reason to not to talk to them about it ever again. We may feel (as I do) that we have the best claim to the islands, but this is not a view shared by all the rest of the world. Most of South America supports Argentina's claim - as does China who have stated several times that the islands belong to Argentina. Even some of those who support us (such as the USA) think we should be talking. The issue isn't going to go away of it's own accord just because we think we're right, and the last thing we want to do is sleepwalk into another Falklands war. We've currently got some good bargaining chips and I don't want to waste them.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Unlike 1982, our boys have been honed in the Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan campaigns. If the Argies though 1982 was close then this time will be an arse-whipping the like of which will take this issue off the agenda until Buck Rogers in the 25th century.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

The spanish briefly inhabited one of the islands then left of their own accord a few years before the british settled permanently on the other island. Argentina has never settled anybody on the islands and did not even exist as a state when the British settled there. Their sole claim to ownership is that it is only a few hundred miles away.

Correct. The Argentinians have been taught at school that they inherited the Falklands from Spain which is untrue. Argentina have never had sovereignty over the islands. The Falklands were British before Argentina became a country.

 

[somerset]

Correct. The Argentinians have been taught at school that they inherited the Falklands from Spain which is untrue. Argentina have never had sovereignty over the islands. The Falklands were British before Argentina became a country.

Sadly not,... Argentina got Independance from Spain in 1816,... we took on the Islands in '33.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Sadly not,... Argentina got Independance from Spain in 1816,... we took on the Islands in '33.

It wasn't Argentina in 1816. It was the United Provinces of the Rio Plata who declared their independence from Spain. Eventually, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their own way, but the area that remained became Argentina.

 

[somerset]

It wasn't Argentina in 1816. It was the United Provinces of the Rio Plata who declared their independence from Spain. Eventually, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their own way, but the area that remained became Argentina.

It was certainly Argentina on the 9th july 1816.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

If the Islanders wish to be linked to Argentina following the results of the poll then fair enough. Until then, they are entitled to British Government protection and we should provide them with that protection.

The referendum vote will be pretty much unanimous , the vast majority of the Islanders (including those who have settled from St Helena) are of British descent. The only sizeable minority are a few Chileans who came to live and work in the Falklands about 20 years ago.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

It was certainly Argentina on the 9th july 1816.

If you accept that is the case, then Bolivia Paraguay & Uruguay have as much claim as Argentina. Chile is happy for the Falklands to remain British.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Falkland Islands ‏@falklands_utd
PRESS RELEASE: Falklands residents tell Argentina: "We have our OWN voice" PRESS RELEASE: Falklands residents tell Argentina: "WE have our OWN voice." Press: @tinyCOWcreative @CFKArgentina
The end of the press release gives a list of all the historical dates.

 

[clapham_gull]

If the Islanders wish to be linked to Argentina following the results of the poll then fair enough. Until then, they are entitled to British Government protection and we should provide them with that protection.

Agreed really. It's up to them. Annoying for successive governments that there are there who have all wanted shot of the place.

Most telling comment above.If Argentina hadn't invaded they would probably now own the place.