| Author |
|
Robbie Parry
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 17 June 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 12185
|
| Posted: 27 February 2012 at 7:11pm | IP Logged | 1
|
|
|
I don't know how much of it has been reported outside England, but there's a lot of talk about the Falklands now and the disputes between Argentina and the UK about sovereignty over the islands. The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory, a self-governing one. I believe it has been inhabited by the British since the 19th century, although no-one seems able to agree who discovered it first. One of my hobbies is reading about history, but I've heard competing claims. Some argue the Spanish discovered them first, others have said the Portuguese and then there are those who say the British found it first. It appears to be one of those complex issues. I can't pretend to understand international law and the historical issues about who discovered the islands first/settled there first. I suppose the islanders' views are the most important. It is tragic that lives are lost in any conflict. I may be naive, but I hope that the UK, the Falkland Islands government and Argentina can solve this issue via peaceful means, through organisations like the UN. I've read quite a few historical articles on the islands, some of which contradict each other, and I just hope that a solution can be found which is beneficial to all. Just out of interest - because I know we have members here from all over the world - is the sovereignty dispute reported on where you live? Is it covered much in the press? And does anybody have any views on the issues surrounding the islands?
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
Brad Brickley
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 29 April 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 8295
|
| Posted: 27 February 2012 at 8:58pm | IP Logged | 2
|
|
|
I think the whole thing is silly. The UK has had it for 200 years and there are no Argentines living there. Seems like a diversion from the Argentines for some poor governance, something to rally the people about to distract from other things.
We might have something to talk about if the people of the Falklands were clamoring to be a part of Argentina, but I don't see that. I'm not sure about oil or other commodities, but that's the only reason I could see Argentina even pursuing a claim beyond saying it's ours.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
| www
|
| |
Neil Lindholm
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 January 2005
Location: China
Posts: 4945
|
| Posted: 27 February 2012 at 10:21pm | IP Logged | 3
|
|
|
My understanding is that the Argentinians claim that the people currently living there have no say in the matter, even though they want to remain with the UK. Since the people living there want to remain with the UK, there is nothing to solve or debate or discuss. Unless the Argentinians decide to kill or throw everyone in prison on the Islands who don't want to become Argentinian, the only way they could morally take possession would be to convince the current residents to become Argentinian. So far, their methods don't seems to be working.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
e-mail
|
| |
Patrick D'Santi
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 21 February 2012
Posts: 55
|
| Posted: 28 February 2012 at 4:47am | IP Logged | 4
|
|
|
Wasn't there a war there in 1980? Some one trying to invade and the UK kicking them out or something? I could google it, I suppose. I just remember something about it from when I was a kid.
Off to google.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
Robbie Parry
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 17 June 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 12185
|
| Posted: 28 February 2012 at 6:11am | IP Logged | 5
|
|
|
Yes, Patrick, there was a war there. It happened in 1982 between the UK and Argentina. It lasted from April until June and was very bloody. Since then, Argentina has been committed to a peaceful resolution of issues over the islands. I hope it continues.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
John Z Cannan
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 30 November 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 181
|
| Posted: 28 February 2012 at 8:53am | IP Logged | 6
|
|
|
There may be a "little bit" of a sovereignty dispute there but the real issue is the oil that may be nearby and who gets to make money off of it.
Edited by John Z Cannan on 28 February 2012 at 8:54am
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
James Woodcock
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 21 September 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 8182
|
| Posted: 28 February 2012 at 9:09am | IP Logged | 7
|
|
|
Hey, all they have to do is either take or destroy the long runway and we'll be unable to defend it anyway. Still, it won an election over here.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
e-mail
|
| |
Robbie Parry
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 17 June 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 12185
|
| Posted: 28 February 2012 at 9:23am | IP Logged | 8
|
|
|
Indeed. That's definitely a factor.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
Stuart Vandal
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 02 July 2008
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 143
|
| Posted: 28 February 2012 at 10:49am | IP Logged | 9
|
|
|
To me it completely comes down to what the people living there want.
The Argentineans claim their opinions don't count, as they aren't "natives." How many generations do you need to have lived somewhere to be considered a native? By the Argentinean argument, most people in Argentina (or the USA for that matter) should have no say in the sovereignty of the country they live in.
The Argentineans say Britain is being colonialist - but Britain doesn't rule the Falklands, and every former overseas colony that wanted independence got it decades ago. Yes, Britain has some small holdings dotted around the world, but they are autonomous, and only still considered British because that's what the people living there want. Plus, back in the 1970s, Britain came very close to giving the Falklands to Argentina, until the Falkland Islanders found out and kicked up a stink because they didn't want that.
The Argentineans say Britain is being confrontational by having militarised the Falklands. Except that Britain only did this AFTER Argentina invaded the place in 1982. The day Argentina invaded there were a total of 70 British soldiers stationed there, and that was more than normal because they were in the middle of a changeover as one group ended their tour there and others arrived to replace them.
The Argentineans say they want to negotiate for the Falklands to be handed over - but if the Islanders don't want to be handed over, then what's to negotiate? And Argentina pretty much blew any hopes of winning over the Islanders' hearts and minds by invading and occupying the place, and keep re-opening that wound by doing stuff like refusing to let planes from the Falklands land in Argentina.
Edited by Stuart Vandal on 28 February 2012 at 12:40pm
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
Peter Martin
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 17 March 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 16216
|
| Posted: 28 February 2012 at 1:26pm | IP Logged | 10
|
|
|
Good post, Stuart.
It's almost as if the Argentinians are complaining about us militarising it because that's not fair as it compromises their ability to invade it should they wish. There's not much militarisation going on beyond maintaining the minimum requirements for defending the inhabitants.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
Bill Collins
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 26 May 2005
Location: England
Posts: 11436
|
| Posted: 28 February 2012 at 1:39pm | IP Logged | 11
|
|
|
I get the impression that Argentina,like everyone else is suffering from the worldwide monetary crisis and a bit of 30th anniversary sabre rattling gets the public on side with the government.I read today that they turned away a few British registered cruise ships,i bet the locals loved watching all that tourist cash sail away.Yes,the prospect of oil fields may be a factor too.It was in the news last week that Sean Penn has been poking his nose in to the matter,just what we need,an actor! Send for Team America World Police!
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
e-mail
|
| |
Stuart Vandal
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 02 July 2008
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 143
|
| Posted: 28 February 2012 at 7:07pm | IP Logged | 12
|
|
|
Those cruise ships weren't even British registered. All they'd done was to have allegedly stopped at the Falklands prior to going to Argentina.
|
| Back to Top |
profile
| search
|
| |
Topic Closed)
