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

[klem]

Originally Posted by Sternjaeger II

mmmmh I am not impressed with the whole Malvinas/Falklands issue, the truth is that we have two countries fighting over it for phoney reasons, when the only mutual interest is to put their hands on the oil rich seas around the islands.. the truth is that from an external point of view the UK claims seems to be a bit ridiculous and far-fetched, if anything for geographical reasons.. the best solution would be to turn it into an independent island, regardless of what everybody say.

You're absolutely right on two points. Oil and an Independent Island.

The first will always be a silent 'reason'. It has no moral value.

The second is what really matters. Ask the Islanders what they want for their island. That is what is important.

As far as I can tell, both from memory of 1982 and current island opinion, they prefer to stay 'British' but they can change their minds at any time of course. What they actually are is 'Falklanders' or whatever other name they choose for themselves. I think Margaret Thatcher never said the Falklands are British, I think I remember her saying the Islanders wanted to be British and that they had been invaded by what to them was a foreign power.