Lately, Argentina has been reviving nationalist sentiments as it seeks to regain control of the Falkland Islands. As much as ownership of the islands might help Argentine pride, the time has come to stop complaining about the islands and make the people of Argentina proud in other ways.
Here is some basic history of the Falkland Islands.
The islands have been historically claimed by both Britain and Argentina; Britain because they colonized the islands, and Argentina because they inherited them from the Spanish Crown. Argentina established a settlement in 1820; Britain did too in 1833. And since about that time there have been no Argentine settlers, while there has been a permanent British presence on the islands. Argentina demanded the islands “back” for decades and in 1982 fought a war with Britain over them but lost.
Ever since Argentina lost the Falkland Islands War, the issue has repeatedly been brought to light, and the rhetoric has been intensifying lately. As the possibility of off-shore oil deposits has attracted the attention of British businessmen, they’ve also been attracted the attention of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who has criticized Britain and demanded the return of the islands. The trading bloc Mercosur, of which Argentina is a member, has already banned the entry of ships flying the Falkland Islands flag, and recently, the Argentine Ambassador to Britain received essentially a stern talking to over suspicions that his government might be encouraging a boycott of British products.
It’s time for Argentina to let go and stop complaining about the islands. In eye-catching list form, here’s why:
The Falkland Islanders don’t want to be a part of Argentina. Survey after survey has shown almost no islanders expressing any desire to join Argentina.
Argentina is attempting to practice colonialism. Demanding land that doesn’t belong to it, and where the people are resistant to its rule. That reminds of me of something… imperialism.
Argentina already fought a war for the Falklands, and lost. It took seventy-four days for the British to defeat the Argentines. It’s time to face it: if even armed conflicted didn’t win Argentina control of the islands, nothing will.
Argentina should focus on other things. Argentina could utilize its diplomats time to do something other than mildly irritate a world power. It can use that energy to secure loans or international support for public works projects, humanitarian aid, or scientific advancements.
Thanks to President Kirchner’s policies, the Argentine economy is improving, and the nation’s world status is rising. Instead of wasting her time stoking nationalist feelings over islands they aren’t going to get back, Kirchner could turn her nation into a model of economic and scientific advancement. That way, maybe, just maybe, Falkland Islanders might want annexation.
About Eric J Cortes
A nice balanced article, especially considering the press on both sides of the Atlantic is getting disgustingly vitriolic. Good job!
The Falklands belong to Argentina.
It is time for Latin America to unite and fight against European colonialism.
Yes… The UK needs to let go. Argentina, do not let go
They should just give it up….
It should be up to the people of the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas to decide.
The Falklands belong to Argentina. The United Kingdom needs to grow up. While it criticizes Argentina they need to realize that the UK is still stuck in the colonial era.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLd9f8CXwx8 learn your history
Yes, Argentina always brings this Malvinas issue when there is some type of instability in Buenos Aires to stir up nationalistic fervor. Been in British hands since 1833. There are no Argentines living there so I don’t see the point. Plus the British subjects living on the islands don’t want to be ruled by Argentina. The stories of fearless British Gurkha warriors chopping of the heads of Argentine soldiers that got in the way are of legend and rightfully so. The Argentines need to stick with Dancing the tango, making those great steaks they make, and drinking their Yerba Mate tea.
Maurice, that would be nice. But the UK has been doing what Israel does in Palestine (“settlers”).
Mario, perhaps you should learn some geopolitical history. Argentina has been relatively stable. This is more than the sugared article states. There are resources there and geographically and historically speaking, belongs to Argentina. So it has been British since 1833? So what? How long has Puerto Rico been a colony to the U.S.? So now time dictates justice? The UK is an imperialist nation, there is no need for an imperialistic outpost next to South America.
I can see if the people living in the islands were all Argentines and being persecuted by the British. Like when Britain held India or African colonies, but the people living there are all British and they like it. I think Britain needs to send more British Army Gurkhas to protect the island.
It’s pathetic that the UK accuses Argentina of wanting to practice colonialism when Argentina possesses no colonies and the UK which has 14! Who is practicing colonialism?
Of course they like it. It is easier to fill up a colony with people from the metropolis, don’t you think? Look at Israel giving free trips to jews around the world in order to colonize Palestine.
of course the Falklanders still want to belong to the UK, most of them, if I recall correctly, are decendants of British immigrants from when it was colonized. The war over the Falkland Islands was fought by (from the argentine side) untrained, young boys used by then-president to try to win some national pride and is hardly an argument for the Falklands not belonging to Argentina, however wrong it was (and it was very wrong). It’s funny that Argentina is being accused of imperialism (colonization) when the island in question IS a british colony – it’s alright for the British then??? it has natural resources that both countries want, it has nothing to do with them being british decendants. The UK should let go, and give las Malvinas to Argentina
Actually, there are Argentines living there, a small population, yes, but they do live there. Argentina shouldn’t give up. The Falklands belong to Argentina.
I am Puerto Rican who lives in Puerto Rico. I know what it’s like to live in a colony. It’s not fun!
So its ok for the British to colonize but not Argentina? British get out.
what legend? Fearless because they managed to kill some untrained boys? Argentina was in the hands of a horrible military junta that didn’t want to send out real soldiers, and is one of the biggest wounds in Argentine history
Despite their lingering tensions between one another, could they somehow find a way to share the islands, like France and Spain does with Andorra, even though it is a parliamentary co-principality?
There are no Argentines living on the islands. None. To call for giving it back to Argentina is like saying that New York City has to go back to the Dutch because Holland founded a colony on Manhattan in the 1600s called New Amsterdam.
The Falklands were Argentinian until the British forced them out. That is colonialism at it’s fullest.
And since the islands are not part of the South American mainland and let’s say that Argentina gets them – then Argentina will be a colonialist power too. They will be the masters of the islands the same way you are criticizing the UK for doing. And even worse, they will be colonialist masters to all the British subjects living under their rule. They will be the real occupiers.
Mario, please read the definition of “settlers colonialism”.
Mario, you seem to forget that the British originally occupied the islands by forcing out its previous settlers..argentinians. If that’s fair to you now then any country can do so right now and expand at their pleasure.
Yes, there are Argentines living there! I was watching a newly release documentary, three days ago, where they showed and interviewed a few of the Argentines living there.
Should American’s hand back America to the Indians and move back to England, Ireland and Italy? Should Australians come back and give Australia back to the Aborigine’s? The list goes on and on. These 100+ years ago wars should be left in history. 3 generations have come and gone. Let the people decide in each case. In the case of the Falklands, that means the British Falklanders. If Argentina carry on, Britain will end up colonizing them to shut them up!