Argentina rallies regional support over Falklands

**Brown, Jon Brow** · 23rd Feb 10, 13:19

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8529605.stm

Latin American and Caribbean leaders have backed Argentina's claim over the Falklands, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has said.

Hugo Chavez: "Queen of England, the empires are over" - if this is the case then why is it important who owns the islands? Hypocrite much?

"We demand, and I think all of us should do the same, the withdrawal of the submarine platform, and that the English government... give that land back," - Back where? Argentina have never had a legitamate claim the to Falklands. France established the first colony, followed by the British, Spanish, then British again after Spain granted independance to her South American colonies in 1811.

Why don't we ask the islanders what they want?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8527579.stm

**Mark** · 23rd Feb 10, 14:06

Originally Posted by Brown, Jon Brow

Why don't we ask the islanders what they want?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8527579.stm

That, indeed, is the correct course. Just like Northern Ireland, it's up to the people who live there who they are governed by. I'm sure that if the islanders voted to change to Argentinian control, the British government would not stand in their way.

**schmenke** · 23rd Feb 10, 15:09

It’s amazing the commotion that a little bit of petroleum will cause...

**Mark in Oshawa** · 23rd Feb 10, 19:26

If there was no rumour of oil, the Argentinians wouldn't care. As for Hugo, he should mind his own business. Last I saw, his garden spot of South America isn't the paradise he promised. At some point, people will tire of his act....

**Easy Drifter** · 23rd Feb 10, 22:10

Argentina starts making too much noise and there will be a couple of unreported Nuclear subs prowling the waters around the Falklands in addition to the one proper warship stationed there.

**Macd** · 23rd Feb 10, 22:14

Its ours. If they want it they can come get it at their own risk

**BDunnell** · 23rd Feb 10, 23:17

Originally Posted by Mark

That, indeed, is the correct course. Just like Northern Ireland, it's up to the people who live there who they are governed by. I'm sure that if the islanders voted to change to Argentinian control, the British government would not stand in their way.

Exactly right.

**Hondo** · 23rd Feb 10, 23:25

In keeping with the traditional British method of geographical dispute settlement, I think the Brits should give the Falklands to the Palestinians for a homeland. The Palestinians are good with sheep, have their own weapons for defence, and are dumb and greedy enough to where the Brits can scam them with a sweetheart oil deal. Take the people from the Falklands and give them Ireland. It could be years before they know they've been moved. Give Somalia to to the Irish. They're good with car bombs, would make wonderful pirates, and they might enjoy some ocean front resort property for a change.

**ZequeArgentina** · 23rd Feb 10, 23:29

What a way of trying to see things?!?!?
The trhuth all the un-informastion is on purpose or just because of lack of investigation?

1- History is not like you tell. It is not me being Argentinean, is has been internationally being recognized that the Islanders are not the ones to determine the sovereignity over the islands.

2- Islanders opinion: Islanders? is that native people who always lived ther???? NO, it is british people who have been ther since British occupation.

3- he oil is one more thing, Argentina have claim their rights for over 100 years, periods with more force and some with less. The 1982 war was a big mistake by the Military Government of that time, but Argentina kept claiming for its rights.

4- The UK have been giving fishing licenses, for an unilaterally establishes maritime zone (no international recognition) and now they qare doing it again with the oil.

Having a disastrous Government, who allies with not the right people (say Venezuela Hugo Chavez) does not mean with are not right our claim!!

Not being rude, but please inform yourself right before posting these sort of things!

Please keep the discussion on civilized terms and with no aggressions!

**Mark in Oshawa** · 23rd Feb 10, 23:44

Originally Posted by ZequeArgentina

What a way of trying to see things?!?!?
The trhuth all the un-informastion is on purpose or just because of lack of investigation?

1- History is not like you tell. It is not me being Argentinean, is has been internationally being recognized that the Islanders are not the ones to determine the sovereignity over the islands.

2- Islanders opinion: Islanders? is that native people who always lived ther???? NO, it is british people who have been ther since British occupation.

3- he oil is one more thing, Argentina have claim their rights for over 100 years, periods with more force and some with less. The 1982 war was a big mistake by the Military Government of that time, but Argentina kept claiming for its rights.

4- The UK have been giving fishing licenses, for an unilaterally establishes maritime zone (no international recognition) and now they qare doing it again with the oil.

Having a disastrous Government, who allies with not the right people (say Venezuela Hugo Chavez) does not mean with are not right our claim!!

Not being rude, but please inform yourself right before posting these sort of things!

Please keep the discussion on civilized terms and with no aggressions!

We are civilized, but I am afraid the day your government in the early 80's tried to take them by force was the day the moral suasion was lost for Argentina. The truth is, there is a legitimate claim that could be made for the islands but the reality is the 5000 or so people living there have been there for generations and have no desire to become Argentinian. If there is a deal to be had, great, then make a deal to get them back, but I think if the oil isn't there, this isn't in the news any more.

**BDunnell** · 23rd Feb 10, 23:56

Originally Posted by ZequeArgentina

What a way of trying to see things?!?!?
The trhuth all the un-informastion is on purpose or just because of lack of investigation?

1- History is not like you tell. It is not me being Argentinean, is has been internationally being recognized that the Islanders are not the ones to determine the sovereignity over the islands.

2- Islanders opinion: Islanders? is that native people who always lived ther???? NO, it is british people who have been ther since British occupation.

3- he oil is one more thing, Argentina have claim their rights for over 100 years, periods with more force and some with less. The 1982 war was a big mistake by the Military Government of that time, but Argentina kept claiming for its rights.

4- The UK have been giving fishing licenses, for an unilaterally establishes maritime zone (no international recognition) and now they qare doing it again with the oil.

Having a disastrous Government, who allies with not the right people (say Venezuela Hugo Chavez) does not mean with are not right our claim!!

Not being rude, but please inform yourself right before posting these sort of things!

Please keep the discussion on civilized terms and with no aggressions!

Sorry, but calling for 'no aggression' in such a post does strike me as a trifle hypocritical. The days of the British Empire are well and truly over, and quite rightly, but the most legitimate claim by far to the Falklands is the British one. I mean, who are the 'native' people of the Falklands? Are they crying out to reinhabit the islands? It seems to me that the Argentinian claim is instead an entirely political one, one that goes down well domestically but has little genuine foundation, unlike, say, territorial claims in respect of Germany's changing borders before the end of the Second World War.

Had history been different, had Britain claimed the Falklands from the Argentinians by illegitimate use of force or some such, as the Germans did in appropriating parts of Poland, my view would also be different. But we didn't. It's surely time for Argentina to forget about the Falklands, just as we British have moved on from our past claims on bits of the world that used to be ours in some long-past age. Why is Argentina unable to do likewise? I have my own ideas, but you may be uncomfortable with them.

**Mark in Oshawa** · 24th Feb 10, 00:07

Originally Posted by BDunnell

Sorry, but calling for 'no aggression' in such a post does strike me as a trifle hypocritical. The days of the British Empire are well and truly over, and quite rightly, but the most legitimate claim by far to the Falklands is the British one. I mean, who are the 'native' people of the Falklands? Are they crying out to reinhabit the islands? It seems to me that the Argentinian claim is instead an entirely political one, one that goes down well domestically but has little genuine foundation, unlike, say, territorial claims in respect of Germany's changing borders before the end of the Second World War.

Had history been different, had Britain claimed the Falklands from the Argentinians by illegitimate use of force or some such, as the Germans did in appropriating parts of Poland, my view would also be different. But we didn't. It's surely time for Argentina to forget about the Falklands, just as we British have moved on from our past claims on bits of the world that used to be ours in some long-past age. Why is Argentina unable to do likewise? I have my own ideas, but you may be uncomfortable with them.

I read about some claims that Argentina might have had being somewhat legitimate, but you are quite right Ben. They have been British for so long that it is rather silly of the Argentinians to only bring this up when the idiot in charge feels he needs to distract the local populace with a new conflict.

**Rollo** · 24th Feb 10, 00:15

Originally Posted by ZequeArgentina

1- Histiry is not like you tell. It is not me being Argentinean, is has been at least 5 tiems the UN saying that UK has no rights over the Island

I would like proof of this.
http://untreaty.un.org/unts/1_60000/25/18/00048877.pdf
Why then in practically every treaty since the creation of the UN in 1945, can I find no evidence of your claim? Are you telling me that the UN is hiding something?

Originally Posted by ZequeArgentina

2- Islanders opinion: Islanders? is that native people who always lived ther???? NO, it is british people who have been ther since British occupation.

http://www.falklands.info/background/census2001r.html
The inherent British nature of the Islands remains practically unaltered. There were on Census Day 2350 British citizens and 443 British Dependent Territories citizens: 95.88% of the total of 2913.

The Falkland Islands is a semi-autonomous self-governing territory. Since you have quoted the UN although glibly, perhaps you'd like to say why the people of the Falkland Islands have no right to self-determination?
To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
- UN Charter, Chapter 1, Article 1, Part 2
http://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/chapter1.shtml

Originally Posted by ZequeArgentina

3- he oil is one more thing, Argentina have claim their rights for over 100 years, periods with more force and some with less. The 1982 war was a big mistake by the Military Government of that time, but Argentina kept claiming for its rights.

Really? Can you provide proof of this? YPF SA didn't even exist until 1922. It's funny an entity can supposedly do something 12 years before it came to be.

Originally Posted by ZequeArgentina

4- The UK have been giving fishing licenses, for an unilaterally establishes maritime zone (no international recognition) and now they qare doing it again with the oil.

The only "maritime zone" ever declared around the Falkland Islands was the Total Exclusion Zone which happened during a period of formal war. Fishing Licences exist as per any normal country and prudent fisheries practices.
Besides which, it was President Nestor Kirchner who "unilaterally" broke down negotiations in March 2007.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ary-nears.html

Originally Posted by ZequeArgentina

Having a disastrous Government, who allies with not the right people (say Venezuela Hugo Chavez) does not mean with are not right our claim!!
Not being rude, but please inform yourself right before posting these sort of things!
Please keep the discussion on civilized terms and with no aggressions!

I think I'm quite well informed thank you. Now how's about a nice cup of tea and a scone, eh?

**Easy Drifter** · 24th Feb 10, 01:47

I hear Spain wants to claim Argentina back as a colony.

**Mark in Oshawa** · 24th Feb 10, 05:02

Originally Posted by Rollo

I would like proof of this.
http://untreaty.un.org/unts/1_60000/25/18/00048877.pdf
Why then in practically every treaty since the creation of the UN in 1945, can I find no evidence of your claim? Are you telling me that the UN is hiding something?

http://www.falklands.info/background/census2001r.html
The inherent British nature of the Islands remains practically unaltered. There were on Census Day 2350 British citizens and 443 British Dependent Territories citizens: 95.88% of the total of 2913.

The Falkland Islands is a semi-autonomous self-governing territory. Since you have quoted the UN although glibly, perhaps you'd like to say why the people of the Falkland Islands have no right to self-determination?
To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
- UN Charter, Chapter 1, Article 1, Part 2
http://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/chapter1.shtml

Really? Can you provide proof of this? YPF SA didn't even exist until 1922. It's funny an entity can supposedly do something 12 years before it came to be.

The only "maritime zone" ever declared around the Falkland Islands was the Total Exclusion Zone which happened during a period of formal war. Fishing Licences exist as per any normal country and prudent fisheries practices.
Besides which, it was President Nestor Kirchner who "unilaterally" broke down negotiations in March 2007.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ary-nears.html

I think I'm quite well informed thank you. Now how's about a nice cup of tea and a scone, eh?

Me thinks you Brits are NOT giving the islands back any time soon. Well Argentina....If you want to buy some islands....well I am sure we can sell you one or two, about 70 degree's or so North Latitude. Hans Island....and you can deal with the Danes who claim THEY own it.....but unlike you lads, they are not willing to take it. We just take turns putting flags on it....

**markabilly** · 24th Feb 10, 07:14

Originally Posted by Macd

Its ours. If they want it they can come get it at their own risk

300 Texans said the same thing to a bunch of mexicans numbering in the thousands; even put it on a flag,,,,the flag went to mexico where it remains today

Originally Posted by Easy Drifter

I hear Spain wants to claim Argentina back as a colony.

The USA wants canada, but i hear the Vikings want both, and both should belong to the Vikings, since they were here first......