Episode 19: The Falklands

3 weeks ago, the Presidenta of Argentina, Christina Kirchner, published an open letter to David Cameron in the UK press regarding the return of the Falkland Islands (las Malvinas). Its quite short, I suggest you check it out if not just for the pure audacity of the method of publication.

So, what is this all about? Well, the UK has claimed sovereignty over the Islands since the late 1600s, but in 1982 tensions escalated and Argentina invaded - leading to the Falklands war in which around 700 people died (70% of those members of the Argentinian military). The reason they ended up invading was, ultimately, because they thought the Islands were theirs and didn't think the UK would want to/would have the resources to retaliate.

Why, then, has it flared up all of a sudden? the answer, it seems, is the black gold that is petrol. There have been a large number of potentially large oil field finds in the last few years that have seen the potential value of owning this land skyrocket, especially for an economy(1,2) so troubled as Argentina. The Argentinian Foreign Office had this to say: "The exploitation of fishing and hydrocarbons without permission in Argentine waters, usurping goods that belong to the Argentine people, not only escalates an unnecessary dispute but carries environmental risks"

Well, before I continue, let us look at a map.
                                     


The Falkland Islands are right next to the east cost at the bottom of Argentina (the green country shown in the bottom left) - a respectable 7864 miles from London, England. So surely they should be Argentina's, right?

Well, perhaps - but not in today's money, especially if we consider that Argentina only achieved Independence from Spain in 1816 and the Islands were uninhabited when discovered by Europeans (well, the French). Furthermore, it's not like South America hasn't had European influence in the past - until the early 1800s (around the same date mentioned above), many countries were colonies of Spain/Portugal.

The thing which is most important to consider at the moment, as shown by short and to the point retorts by PM David Cameron, is what the inhabitants of the Falklands actually want for themselves. Well, for starters they don't speak Spanish, use the Pound and the 220v power system (just like in Gibraltar) - and the bottom line is that they regularly state they want to remain part of the UK. Having been accused of colonialism, isn't it odd that the Falkand Islanders may be forced to become part of a nation of which they have no desire?

Personally, seeing as that they have a population of only 3200,it really doesn't seem that this is about the Islands themselves as much about the 'natural resources' that appear to lie in abundance in potential wells offshore.. The UK arrived there way before oil mining existed, and thus this argument doesn't apply to them. The fuss caused by the Presidenta is, in my opinion, a distraction ploy from other more pressing socioeconomic issues - and, to be honest, I think the general population here see through that. The same, for the sake of fairness, could easily be said about David Cameron.

Although, on the other hand, it is obvious that having lost a not insubstantial amount of soldiers (by war standards) in a fight they didn't win, this will always be a difficult subject and that I am merely scratching the surface. Do I understand where the grievances come from? Yes. Do i sympathise? Of course I do. Do i think that the Argentinian Government will act on their emotions? Perhaps, but it wouldn't be wise...