The Falkland Islands.......

[Fidel Castro]

I tried a search on this but got no results matching.

Basically, I am going to the Falkland Islands in about a years time for 6 months, and am doing a bit of research on the history of the islands. I'd like to know what people's oppinions are of the question of soverignty over the islands.

I personally believe that the Falklands should remain under British protection, why? Because the Falkland Islanders wish that to be the case, and their right to self determination must be of paramount importaince.

[Hampton]

http://www.history.horizon.co.fk/

http://www.falklands.gov.fk/1.htm

BATTLES of the FALKLANDS ISLANDS WAR 1982 (http://www.naval-history.net/NAVAL1982FALKLANDS.htm)

[Don't Change Your Name]

The Malvinas are British!

And I'm an Argentinian saying that! But i think they should become independent from the UK.

[Danton]

What will you be doing in the Malvines?

I remember growing up in the eighties when all this went down, it was a bizzarre affair no doubt, I thought, why are British troops dying fighting for this rock 12,000 miles away or whatever it is?

It's the same sort of scenario with Gibralter..

[Scottish_Militant]

http://www.marxist.com/Theory/reply_luisov...part_three.html (http://www.marxist.com/Theory/reply_luisoviedo_part_three.html)

http://www.marxist.com/Theory/reply_luisov...o_part_five.htm (http://www.marxist.com/Theory/reply_luisoviedo_part_five.htm)

My recomendations

[Fidel Castro]

Whilst in the Falklands I will be posted on a sheep farm, helping with the day-to-day running and hearding etc, I'll get a small wage for it and weekends off etc.

From what I have been told the people of the Falklands (or Malvinas if you prefer) are very patriotic, especially since the invasion. They even have a holiday called "Margaret Thatcher Day" and view this monster as a saint.

As for the reasons for British response, there is thought to be an untapped oil supply near the Falklands, not to mention that Britian did not want to appear weak by letting the Argies away with an invasion of British territory. The only reason I support the action is that the approx 2000 population clearly stated that they wanted to remain with Britian.

[Scottish_Militant]

"Neither Argentinean nor British workers had anything to gain from this conflict. A victory for either side would mean the strengthening of their own ruling class, and all the while the Falkland Islanders were mere pawns in the imperialist game. Thatcher's foreign policy, like that at home, was that of the interests of British capitalism. This was not a war as they claimed of democracy versus "fascism", but a war to defend the power and prestige of British imperialism". (The Falklands Crisis - A Socialist Answer, by Ted Grant, May 1982)

[Fidel Castro]

I agree that Thatcher didn't give a shit about the people of the Falklands, however the result of the war was good in that the population of the islands right to self-determination was defended and they achieved their wish of remaining under British rule.

The Argentine regime invaded the islands simply to boost their popularity, after all, the Malvinas are an area of great passion for the Argentines. Simialrly, Thatcher sent a task force to recover the islands simply to boost her popularity and also perhaps show British resolve and streangth.

The Argentine action was counter-productive, as today the people of the Falklands are described as "More British than the British", in other words they are fiercly patriotic and loyal to the crown, I mean cummon, who else would have a holiday called "Margaret Thatcher Day"?

Economically the islands are now self-sufficient, and relations with the Argentines are improving. I can't see the situation in the Falklands changing in the near future.

[MiniOswald]

anyways none of the brits on the island actually owned land, it was owned by a company that makes charcoal briquetes, so we wasted millions to 'help our people' when we could have just bought the people off the islands for much less, think if someone offered you a million to leave somewhere wouldnt you

[Fidel Castro]

Simply throwing money at a population and expecting them to change their culture, homeland and way of life is not the answer at all. Even though it sounds like a simple way out of the problem.

The Falklands is such a difficult war to fully comprehend as it was a case of Imperialism attacking Imperialism. Nationalism attacking nationalism.

The Argentines believed the Malvinas belonged to them due to it's geographic position and historical background and the British believed it belonged to them due to the right of the islanders to self-determination and the historical occupation of the islands.

At the end of the day, the future of the Falklands to lay in the hands of the islanders themseleves. Not the British or the Argentines.

I'm really looking forward to going there.