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

[Volksieg]

Originally Posted by klem

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.

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.

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.

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.

[fruitbat]

I think the Argentinians should give back Argentina to the native Indians, and return to Spain.

[Sternjaeger II]

Originally Posted by fruitbat

I think the Argentinians should give back Argentina to the native Indians, and return to Spain.

so should Americans give back the US to natives and come back where they came from?

let's try and keep this conversation to a sensible level please..

[Bewolf]

Originally Posted by fruitbat

I think the Argentinians should give back Argentina to the native Indians, and return to Spain.

Hmm, I am not sure if we still have some place here when you give back the British Isles to their original celtic people and return home. Maybe in Pommeria, it's pretty empty.

[Volksieg]

Originally Posted by Bewolf

Hmm, I am not sure if we still have some place here when you give back the British Isles to their original celtic people and return home. Maybe in Pommeria, it's pretty empty.

Totally true. The only reason there is an England is because Vortigern hired Saxons, Jutes etc as mercenaries to fight the Picts and we simply refused to "go home" when the job was done. The rest, as they say, is history.......

[Sternjaeger II]

well there are countless examples of wars not related to economic interests, and what's common to all of them is that they NEVER involve capitalistic countries

[Volksieg]

Originally Posted by Sternjaeger II

well there are countless examples of wars not related to economic interests, and what's common to all of them is that they NEVER involve capitalistic countries

heh heh . Of course Capitalism is just another "Ideology" to add to the list. Sometimes the "Resources" don't even need to have any basis in hard reality.... an "economy of ideas"....

I'm getting rather misanthropic in my old age, I think. I have often wondered if we, as a species, just like bashing each other's heads in and the excuses..*cough*..I mean Justifications come later.

[Gribbers]

As mentioned in previous posts. The islanders want to remain British, and if they decide to change their minds then the British government will consider the options. Besides [may be wrong here] I remember that the islanders were treated pretty appallingly by the invading force.

As for the oil, don't the two countries have a joint commercial venture in place for both to drill in certain areas???

Besides, who needs another war over the same peice of rock...

I too followed the the conflict in the 80s very closely. As a Brit, it was an interesting conflict for us, unused to fighting without dominant air superiority.

Loving the new series on Channel 4...not sure if they're all based on the same conflict but the last two have been.

[Sternjaeger II]

Originally Posted by Gribbers

As mentioned in previous posts. The islanders want to remain British, and if they decide to change their minds then the British government will consider the options. Besides [may be wrong here] I remember that the islanders were treated pretty appallingly by the invading force.

that's the whole point of the debate, if you're of British descent it's obvious that you'll lean towards being dependent from Britain. The whole point is that there's a need to re-establish some balance, regardless of what people say (after all, do our Governments normally listen to us?!).

As for the oil, don't the two countries have a joint commercial venture in place for both to drill in certain areas???

Besides, who needs another war over the same peice of rock...

well, some areas are deliberately left off-limits because of the lack of an agreement, and frankly if you could choose between a share or the whole thing, what would you choose? Another war would be probably made acceptable, and it's only our energetic needs that we have to thank for that.

I too followed the the conflict in the 80s very closely. As a Brit, it was an interesting conflict for us, unused to fighting without dominant air superiority.

Loving the new series on Channel 4...not sure if they're all based on the same conflict but the last two have been.

well I'm sure it was an interesting test for the Royal Navy Harriers, and frankly I would have expected the Skyhawks and Mirage III to be more of a threat, but then again operational limits played an important role in the whole conflict.

Another interesting thing is that the Argentinian Air Force doesn't seem to have changed much since '82!

[ATAG_Dutch]

If anyone missed this on Sunday night here's the link;

There are three adverts before the prog starts.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/f...id/4od#3304762