April 3, 2012
Yesterday was the 30 year anniversary of the Falkland conflict. In 1982 Argentina invaded the sovereign Falkland Islands and the UK sent a task force in to regain the Islands. In the 30 years since the brief but bloody conflict ended nothing much has changed. The majority of the islanders wish to remain under British rule, the UK is still not prepared to hand the islands over to Argentina and Argentina still claims the Falklands or Las Malvinas Islands are Argentinian territory.
Perhaps the most significant change has been the discovery that the Falklands or at least the area off their coast could be rich in oil. This added to the sensitive 30 year anniversary was probably bound to lead to trouble.
Yesterday there were some protests in Argentina and today these have continued. During the protests the British Embassy in Bueson Aires was attacked and an effigy of Prince William was burnt. On the whole the general feeling though was that it was a minor disturbance and that Argentinians have no stomach for another conflict.
That said last night around 5,000 citizens braved freezing cold temperatures to wait for their President to speak. They held an all night vigil and were rewarded with a passionate speech by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner,the Argentinian President.
The vigil and address took place in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. This city has significant importance for the people of Argentina. It is classed as the capital of the vast South Atlantic territory which includes Las Malvinas, called by the British, the Falklands.
Signficantly the Argentinian President spoke as she stood close to a statue which represents the Falklands. She said:
"I am a Malvinist president. It is an injustice how in the 21st century there still subsists a colonialist enclave a few hundred kilometres from our shores. It is absurd to pretend dominion 8 000 miles overseas." .
OPINION: Surely it is time for sensible discussion with all parties?
Yesterday was the 30 year anniversary of the Falkland conflict. In 1982 Argentina invaded the sovereign Falkland Islands and the UK sent a task force in to regain the Islands. In the 30 years since the brief but bloody conflict ended nothing much has changed. The majority of the islanders wish to remain under British rule, the UK is still not prepared to hand the islands over to Argentina and Argentina still claims the Falklands or Las Malvinas Islands are Argentinian territory.
Perhaps the most significant change has been the discovery that the Falklands or at least the area off their coast could be rich in oil. This added to the sensitive 30 year anniversary was probably bound to lead to trouble.
Yesterday there were some protests in Argentina and today these have continued. During the protests the British Embassy in Bueson Aires was attacked and an effigy of Prince William was burnt. On the whole the general feeling though was that it was a minor disturbance and that Argentinians have no stomach for another conflict.
That said last night around 5,000 citizens braved freezing cold temperatures to wait for their President to speak. They held an all night vigil and were rewarded with a passionate speech by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner,the Argentinian President.
The vigil and address took place in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. This city has significant importance for the people of Argentina. It is classed as the capital of the vast South Atlantic territory which includes Las Malvinas, called by the British, the Falklands.
Signficantly the Argentinian President spoke as she stood close to a statue which represents the Falklands. She said:
"I am a Malvinist president. It is an injustice how in the 21st century there still subsists a colonialist enclave a few hundred kilometres from our shores. It is absurd to pretend dominion 8 000 miles overseas." .
OPINION: Surely it is time for sensible discussion with all parties?
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