Dick Dasterdly

I see the Argies are beating their drums again, but fortunately not rattling their sabres, as they hardly have any left to rattle, other than the remnants of what survived the war thirty years ago.
The military experts don't see any possible threat at all, (take note HBG).
They are however making threats against British based banks that may get involved in financing oil exploration and production in the area.

There was quite a bit about it on both the main Spanish and UK news channels this evening.

Based on what information is available up till now, there are estimated to be in the region of 110 billions of squids of reserves and apparently it all belongs to the Falklanders themselves.

I can just imagine a whole host of Bennies complete with woolie hats arriving on the Spanish Costas fairly soon, to help lift the doom and gloom from the hoiday property market.

Lenox

The Spanish press has been droning on about the Falklands recently - firstly because of the brotherly hispano thing with the Argentinians, and secondly, of course, to compare, contrast and raise the Gib question again (and again...). One writer in El Mundo said yesterday that Mrs Thatcher did everyone a favour, getting rid of Galtieri, dictatorships and tossing prisoners out of helicopters, but another writer appeared today to disagree.
Today's El Mundo 'Malvinas' headline: Cristina Fernández: 'Es una injusticia que en el siglo XXI haya enclaves coloniales' (Yawn!)

HBG

Seeing I've had a mention, I'd better reply.

I've been watching the remembrance news today, and on such a day, what can you say?

Considering the loss of life 30 years ago, we can't do anything other than to keep on defending the Falklands, not that I consider Argentina to plan any imminent attack (for many years). If ever.

This one is not about oil, for once, it's about national pride (ours).

Fredbargate

When will they ever learn?

The only way to achieve the integration of the Falklands into Argentina or Gibraltar into Spain is to woo the natives.

Sabre rattling , frontier closures , blockades etc. will they never learn.

How many of you have walked into a bar, slapped a woman in the face, kicked her in the crutch and then asked her to come to bed with you successfully?

Dick Dasterdly

It seems to work well enough for quite a few E.Europeans.

Dick Dasterdly

I think that a 110 billions worth of oil could do quite a bit to help boost our pride,...... as well as our back pockets,.. if we ever got to see a bit of it that is.

kimilseung

In light of Spanish views on Falklands and Gibraltar; how does the Spanish media treat the African possessions of Spain?

steviedeluxe

Same as the Brits view the Isle of Wight or even northern Ireland I imagine. Citizens there have same rights and ability to vote in national elections, unlike colonies and military bases like Gib.

Of course the UK doesn't always look after its colonies. Look up Diego Garcia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depopul...f_Diego_Garcia

kimilseung

OK thanks, France has turned several of its far flung former colonies in to integral parts of France, as Overseas departments. It seems the solution to the Falklands would be to integrate it as part of the UK. I wonder what the arguments against are?

Dick Dasterdly

Upsetting the Argies and Spanish for a start.

In any event it's up to the Islanders themselves to determine their own future status.

HBG

Quite right, we should leave it to the Falklanders, the Gibraltarians and the Scots.

kimilseung

That is certainly something to take in to consideration, but it would also remove many of their arguments and take the UN Committee of 24, out of involvement.

Not completely. It is a partnership.

steviedeluxe

Unless it's people from Diego Garcia or Hong Kong...ok so it wasn't feasible to take on China but can we drop the pretence we are acting in the interests of people?
Back in the 80s it was deemed ok to write off whole communities of miners or steel makers because their business wasn't turning in a profit. Never mind then that we were talking a few million..
Nowadays we can spend billions on propping up banks, or billions on keeping a military presence in the south Atlantic. Biggest danger there is that we are seriously annoying possible trading partners in south America. The UK needs to improve its export markets to survive - keeping up colonial appearances isn't going to help.
As you can guess I am not in favour of losing another single young serviceman's life over territory 8000 miles away. Maybe if it was a country or city that we governed, but it isn't it's only 3,000 people. Just as a comparison. the UK government in the 80s actually considered abandoning Liverpool, a city of 600,000 people.
Just as well I don't think Argentina has the capability or intention to invade - because we certainly don't have the fleet to mount another invasion. Maybe we had to do something when attacked back in the 80s. But a sensible government would negotiate a gradual hand-over that guaranteed existing islanders the right to stay or to return to the UK (before it splits up!)

jimenato

I agree entirely - apart from the Sots.

steviedeluxe

Arf. And people wonder why the Scots sometimes get aggrieved?