1982 Falklands (Malvinas) War: a view from across the pond

[Sternjaeger II]

Originally Posted by Volksieg

Totally true. In some ways it is similar to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict inasmuch as it is all too easy to throw up an, otherwise logical and sensible, suggestion but it ultimately comes down to what the population want. The Falkland Islanders want to be British and, therefore, are.

..erm, not really: the territory of Palestine and Israel has been under the control of the Brits up until post WW2, and it's the British Protectorate who helped Jews to go back there, but when they realised there was no way to control it because of the tensions with Palestinians they buggered off, telling everybody to behave.. So whose sovereignty is valid there?

Something I find interesting are the accusations of "Colonialism" and "Imperialism" coming from across the water.... Britain colonised the Falklands before there even was an Argentina and, if one wishes to split hairs, Argentina itself is a Colony, as is the United States.... Go far back enough and England is also. It seems to be colonies all the way back ad infinitum, ad nauseum and probably a few other "Ad"s that make me sound a hell of a lot smarter than I am.

That is not correct. Nobody cared much about the Malvinas up until they were under Spanish control: it's Spain who officially gave the Malvinas to Argentina when they recognised their independence, but in the meantime British colonies had settled in and slowly but systematically kicked out all of the Argentinian settlements. It was an occupation, and as such it was left until someone said "hey guys, there's some oil drilling opportunities there!". This doesn't mean that the British presence is more legitimate than the Argentinian one though. Again, independence from both would be the ideal solution.

Oil is certainly playing a major part in the decision making process, of course, but such is the nature of politics anyway...... if there are no resources or identifiable use for a territory, the claims to said territory will, naturally, tend to thin out somewhat. During the last Falklands conflict, the islands were a useful listening post into Cuba (Probably still are.... a few signed pieces of paper do not end a cold war, regardless of what our news networks and politicians may suggest.... heck! We all spy on each other anyway.... allies, enemies, neutrals....). This time the issue is much needed fuel. The fact the Islanders wish to be considered British is a strategic bonus if nothing else.

With all the technology going on today you don't really need listening posts, and surely not one that far anyway. It was a good strategic presence during the 60s and 70s, but now it's just economic interests.