NationStates Jolt Archive

The Falklands Islands is a small UK territory in the south pacific, which has been contested by Argentina for almost two hundred years. Argentine invasion in 1982 was followed by a successful British counterattack (Operation: Corporate, the only real naval battle since Midway) that retook the islands. The question is, just who do these Islands belong to?

The Falklands Islands is a small UK territory in the south pacific, which has been contested by Argentina for almost two hundred years. Argentine invasion in 1982 was followed by a successful British counterattack (Operation: Corporate, the only real naval battle since Midway) that retook the islands. The question is, just who do these Islands belong to?
Whoever owns the property. Whichever government claims it can go to hell for all I care.

The penguins

But if the government there starts executing people for no or little reason? Then what?

The question is, just who do these Islands belong to?
The Falklands are ours, damnit! *becomes briefly patriotic*

The Falklands Islands is a small UK territory in the south pacific, which has been contested by Argentina for almost two hundred years. Argentine invasion in 1982 was followed by a successful British counterattack (Operation: Corporate, the only real naval battle since Midway) that retook the islands. The question is, just who do these Islands belong to?

The islands are British. They have never been Argentinian, and unless the Falkland Islanders wish to become Argentinians they will remian British.

Thatcher got it back from the Argentinians for us. :D

The islands are British. They have never been Argentinian, and unless the Falkland Islanders wish to become Argentinians they will remian British.
They were never British either, only claimed to be so by imperialists.

To the UK, the majority of its inhabitants are British. Which is in itself the reason it cannot belong to it's people, it's not practicable to try and hand it over to such a small number of disperate people.

All your Falkland are belong to UK :D

Consider the Falklands a more distant Gibraltar... Gibralter, Gi--- You get the idea.

Who the hell wants it. I don't understand the damn fuss about it. Sheep. That's what they have. Bugger your own sheep, and leave the islanders alone.

Who the hell wants it. I don't understand the damn fuss about it. Sheep. That's what they have. Bugger your own sheep, and leave the islanders alone.
Huzah!

It belongs to the United States...somehow.

And it's Argentines. Not Argentinians.

The Falklands Islands is a small UK territory in the south pacific, which has been contested by Argentina for almost two hundred years. Argentine invasion in 1982 was followed by a successful British counterattack (Operation: Corporate, the only real naval battle since Midway) that retook the islands. The question is, just who do these Islands belong to?

Minor correction. The Falkland Islands are in the South Atlantic, not Pacific.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Falkland+Islands&spn=53.312703,168.328125&hl=en

The flag of the Falklands is a hell of a lot cooler than that dumbass powder blue thing Argentina has. Plus, pretty much all of the inhabitants are descended from British colonists...so it probably belongs to Englad.

I voted 'The Falkland Islanders', but it would be impractical to grant independence to such a small teritorry. In practical terms, it belongs to Britain, because the great majority of its inhabitants are of British descent. It's the Argentines' fault, they should have colonized some people there before 1832 (IIRC, that's when Britain occupied the islands). :D

So once the majority of Americans are of hispanic decent, will the USA belong to Latin America?

They were never British either, only claimed to be so by imperialists.

What are you talking about? They are British, you only have to ask any of its inhabitants.

It belongs to the UK, Argentina should butt out of this! :rolleyes:

It belongs to the United States...somehow.
how ?

how ?

Wouldn't you like to know... *shiftyeyes*

Just like those renegade colonies and colonially controlled countries, the Falklands belongs to the British so we may sodomise the land (if there is anything useful there) and let it be subject to horrendous attacks in the name of our glorious empire!

*waves flag, sings Rule Brittania*

What are you talking about? They are British, you only have to ask any of its inhabitants.
They say themselves that they are of British decent. They don't claim to be British anymore.

http://www.falklandislands.com/about_us/people_culture.asp

"But we don't want you thinking that we have not moved on. Whilst our roots may be firmly secured by tradition, we now have a modern and vibrant community living and working in its own unique way in this beautiful part of thw world."

Wouldn't you like to know... *shiftyeyes*
well it belongs to the pengins

They say themselves that they are of British decent. They don't claim to be British anymore.

http://www.falklandislands.com/about_us/people_culture.asp

"But we don't want you thinking that we have not moved on. Whilst our roots may be firmly secured by tradition, we now have a modern and vibrant community living and working in its own unique way in this beautiful part of thw world."

This is an official website. The last paragraph could have been taken from the official websites of any number of British local authorities, councils or regional assemblies (in other words, it's meaningless piffle, loved by modern modern politicians of any colour).

Perhaps you should speak to a Falkand Islander.

So once the majority of Americans are of hispanic decent, will the USA belong to Latin America?
Latin America is not a country.

So once the majority of Americans are of hispanic decent, will the USA belong to Latin America?

No. Aside from the fact that Latin America isn't a country, Argentina doesn't really have a legitimate claim to the islands. They illegitimately took them over from Spain after independence, and Spain had previously taken them over from Britain even though they belong to the English.

Those bloody islands should belong to Argentina, for god's sake british imperialism hasn't ended...

Those bloody islands should belong to Argentina, for god's sake british imperialism hasn't ended...
That's nonesense.

Argentina. If that's what atleast 51% of Falklanders want.

That's nonesense.

the only thing that i'm glad of, is of the US becoming a major power than its predecesor (of course, they played their cards in a magnificent manner) btw i read an article about the Suez channel which is of very strategic and commercial importance to the UK, the UN voted against this, but that just makes me wonder.

Argentina. If that's what atleast 51% of Falklanders want.
Tyranny of the Majority, eh?

the only thing that i'm glad of, is of the US becoming a major power than its predecesor (of course, they played their cards in a magnificent manner) btw i read an article about the Suez channel which is of very strategic and commercial importance to the UK, the UN voted against this, but that just makes me wonder.
Compose your posts better and keep your Grammar and relevance under control. Oh and make some points.

the only thing that i'm glad of, is of the US becoming a major power than its predecesor (of course, they played their cards in a magnificent manner) btw i read an article about the Suez channel which is of very strategic and commercial importance to the UK, the UN voted against this, but that just makes me wonder.

Eh?:confused:

Compose your posts better and keep your Grammar and relevance under control. Oh and make some points.

so sorry, but english is not my mother tongue, besides i'm studying french so, sometimes i get confused.
Thank you for your tips, they will come in handy sometime.

The Falklands Islands is a small UK territory in the south pacific, which has been contested by Argentina for almost two hundred years. Argentine invasion in 1982 was followed by a successful British counterattack (Operation: Corporate, the only real naval battle since Midway) that retook the islands. The question is, just who do these Islands belong to?

Like Gibraltar the area should be put to a referendum of the islanders. Unlike Gibraltar however, their decision should not be ignored by Tony Blair if it doesn't go the way he wants (i.e. he tried to give Gibraltar to Spain in a deal even after a 99% referendum in favour of the British Crown)

Those bloody islands should belong to Argentina, for god's sake british imperialism hasn't ended...

Why should they belong to Argentina? If geographic proximity is your only defining measure, then Japan should be part of China, Sri Lanka should be part of India, Cuba should be part of the USA...

Ridiculous enough yet?

Like Gibraltar the area should be put to a referendum of the islanders. Unlike Gibraltar however, their decision should not be ignored by Tony Blair if it doesn't go the way he wants (i.e. he tried to give Gibraltar to Spain in a deal even after a 99% referendum in favour of the British Crown)

Why put it to a referendum? There's no popular demand for a change in sovereignty.

Why should they belong to Argentina? If geographic proximity is your only defining measure, then Japan should be part of China, Sri Lanka should be part of India, Cuba should be part of the USA...

Ridiculous enough yet?

Don't forget the Channel islands! And Denmark!

Tyranny of the Majority, eh?

As opposed to tyranny of the minority?:confused:

Eh?:confused:

I've only just seen your post where you say that English isn't your first language, please accept my apologies.

As opposed to tyranny of the minority?:confused:

How about no tyranny, period!

The falkland islands are officially British, the islandsers concidered themsleves, British. The Argentinians basically tried to force them to be Argentianian, they made them drive on their side of the road etc..:sniper:

My Uncle was killed there in the Argentianian invasion, he was a royal Marine, The islanders definatly say that they are british.

Why should they belong to Argentina? If geographic proximity is your only defining measure, then Japan should be part of China, Sri Lanka should be part of India, Cuba should be part of the USA...

Ridiculous enough yet?

Unfair comparison. More accurate picture you get when you think should Japan belong to China rather than New Zealand, if their independence is not an option? Cuba to USA rather than South Africa? Sri Lanka to India rather than Singapore?

Not that ridiculous anymore....

Those bloody islands should belong to Argentina, for god's sake british imperialism hasn't ended...

the land should belong to those who live there

and yes I am British

How about no tyranny, period!

Unpractical.

How about no tyranny, period!

Hey, you brought tyranny into this.:D

As a person from a former colony, I fully sympathise with Argentina. That's why I voted for the Argentina option with the caveat that atleast 51% of Falklanders should want that option.

A similar incident happened in Portuguese colony of Goa. After independance we politely asked the Portuguese to leave. They acted uppity. We moved the army in and booted them out. Portuguese were screeching about it for many years and it took decades for relations to normalise.

The point is, colonialism in over. It is better to give up colonial legacy if that is the best option for all the parties involved, instead of hanging on to it for pride.

Compose your posts better and keep your Grammar and relevance under control. Oh and make some points.

1) You do not capitalise the word "grammar".
2) There needs to be a comma after "Oh".

That's 5 quid, 7.50 Euros or 8 bucks, please. :p

The point is, colonialism in over. It is better to give up colonial legacy if that is the best option for all the parties involved, instead of hanging on to it for pride.

Silly nonsense! Imperialism is a natural by-product of the growth of nation-states and so long as there are nation-states, there will be imperialism. Imperialism still exists in the world today, although it is far more covert than it once was. America, despite its myriad of denials, is an imperial power. China is an imperial power. Russia remains an imperial power. Just because they do not call themselves 'empires' does not mean they are not imperial.

As for your comment, the Falklanders wish to remain British citizens and under British protection. Better that than falling under the domain of the Argentines, a corrupt and bankrupt state barely better than a dictatorship.

Currently Britain but there is nothing to stop Aregntina putting a claim on it.

1) You do not capitalise the word "grammar".
2) There needs to be a comma after "Oh".
That's 5 quid, 7.50 Euros or 8 bucks, please. :p
Sorry but I couldn't help posting this:
http://foostew.com/uhoh/grammarnazi-sm.jpg

The Falklands Islands is a small UK territory in the south pacific, which has been contested by Argentina for almost two hundred years. Argentine invasion in 1982 was followed by a successful British counterattack (Operation: Corporate, the only real naval battle since Midway) that retook the islands. The question is, just who do these Islands belong to?
Until such time that the Falkland Islander's are able to support themselves (in all manners) without the aid of the British Crown, they belong to the British Commonwealth. With the current state of the Argentinian economy, it would be foolish to think that they would be able to support the islands in a manner in which it has been supported for the last apx 200 years.

The question is, just who do these Islands belong to?
Me

I voted for the Argentine control of the islands. I saw this because I hate seeing European control in the western hemisphere.

Currently Britain but there is nothing to stop Aregntina putting a claim on it.

The Royal Navy disagrees. (http://www.military-art.com/images/b137.jpg)

Edit: This thread is like me saying: "Who does the United States of America belong to, European colonists or Native Americans?".

Sorry but I couldn't help posting this:
http://foostew.com/uhoh/grammarnazi-sm.jpg

hehe...
...but I didn't start that.
Ain't nobody never beating my grammah no way.

On topic:
Wikipedia says the Falklands are economically totally dependent on the UK, their trade deficit being 50% of their GNP.

Nuff said, I reckon.

Currently Britain but there is nothing to stop Aregntina putting a claim on it.

Ever heard of the Falkland War? The Brits destroyed Argentina.

Ever heard of the Falkland War? The Brits destroyed Argentina.

Exactly. Why is this topic even being brought into question? It's not just the UK is the only country in dispute over the islands.

Who does the Falklands belong to? The answer is the territory of the United Kingdom.

All your Falkland are belong to UK :D

somebody set us up the island

its british commonwealth/thing

Ever heard of the Falkland War? The Brits destroyed Argentina.
Yeah i've heard of it.
Argentina had Conscripts that were underarmed and din't really want to be there.

Nothing is stopping Argentina from trying again, well except for a rotten economy.

Other: USA! USA! USA!

Hey, you brought tyranny into this.:D

As a person from a former colony, I fully sympathise with Argentina. That's why I voted for the Argentina option with the caveat that atleast 51% of Falklanders should want that option.

A similar incident happened in Portuguese colony of Goa. After independance we politely asked the Portuguese to leave. They acted uppity. We moved the army in and booted them out. Portuguese were screeching about it for many years and it took decades for relations to normalise.

The point is, colonialism in over. It is better to give up colonial legacy if that is the best option for all the parties involved, instead of hanging on to it for pride.

Great, an Indian with a persecution complex. Isn't it a bit rich of you to criticise imperialism whilst excusing India's undemocratic annexation of Goa?

When India annexed Goa, it had been under Portugese rule for nearly 500 years. As it certainly wasn't vigorous demands from the Goans that brought annexation, surely it was nothing more than Indian imperialism?

who cares? the island is just a strategicaly unimportant bunch of rocks! it was important when people used cape horne, but now noone does. people just use the panama canal. the british are the majority though, and they own it technically, so the falklands are no more Argentinan then Burmuda is American.

I read a cartoon about the Falklands:

"See, these islands are so gray, cold, and dreary, they MUST be part of Britain."

Great, an Indian with a persecution complex. Isn't it a bit rich of you to criticise imperialism whilst excusing India's undemocratic annexation of Goa?

When India annexed Goa, it had been under Portugese rule for nearly 500 years.

LOL. A Westerner (assuming here, correct me if I am wrong) with an colonial complex.

So the Portuguese come and forcefully occupy a small part as a colony and so it should be a Portuguese colony forever?

As it certainly wasn't vigorous demands from the Goans that brought annexation, surely it was nothing more than Indian imperialism?

And you know that the Goans did not want freedom from Portuguese how?

And you know that the Goans are protesting Indian "imperialism" how?

Stupid.

Do you even know of Goan inquisitions, a la Spanish inquisition, where thousands of natives were converted and thousands were killed as heretics?

Those bloody islands should belong to Argentina, for god's sake british imperialism hasn't ended...

Why? Because Argintenia is nearer and bigger. By that logic the United States should belong to Canada, and Britain should belong to the rest of continental Europe.

Why? Because Argintenia is nearer and bigger. By that logic the United States should belong to Canada, and Britain should belong to the rest of continental Europe.
.....and Australia should belong to New Zealand.

Quotes from Aryavartha:

"A Westerner (assuming here, correct me if I am wrong) with an colonial complex."

I don't have a colonial complex, I just believe in self-determination.

"So the Portuguese come and forcefully occupy a small part as a colony and so it should be a Portuguese colony forever?"

I never said that. I would only argue that for a territory to change nationality, it should be put to the entire population in a referendum. Indian occupation hardly undid the injustices of colonialism.

"And you know that the Goans did not want freedom from Portuguese how?"

In almost every Western colony, there was a movement that sought independence (ie the INC in India, or the Muslim League for Pakistan. No such movement existed in Goa.

"And you know that the Goans are protesting Indian "imperialism" how?"

Most Indians didn't protest British rule in India, as the failure of the 1942 Quit India campaign showed. Does that make it right?

"Stupid."

Try to make reasoned arguments, witless ad hominems don't add anything to the discussion.

"Do you even know of Goan inquisitions, a la Spanish inquisition, where thousands of natives were converted and thousands were killed as heretics"

I didn't, but please don't try to portray India as the ultimate expression of religious toleration (Mrs. Gandhi's assault on the Golden Temple anyone?) Or the BJP's failure to condemn attacks on mosques... there are plenty of examples.

Why? Because Argintenia is nearer and bigger. By that logic the United States should belong to Canada, and Britain should belong to the rest of continental Europe.

what the hell is argintenia? ive heard of argentina, but no argintenia.

The people who live there are British, and they want to stay that way. It's a British territory as such.

I don't have a colonial complex, I just believe in self-determination.

So tell me again, how did the Portuguese come to have Goa as a colony.

Surely the natives must have petitioned the Portuguese to come and take over...it must be there somewhere in history...I am sure you can help me find it.


Most Indians didn't protest British rule in India, as the failure of the 1942 Quit India campaign showed. Does that make it right?

I am sure that arresting Gandhi and many congress leaders and banning the congress itself and using the lackey Jinnah to have the Muslim League not to support the call by Gandhi and arresting over 100,000 protestors and the public flogging etc did not help for the movement.

But considering that the British did actually quit in 1947, I would say that the independance movement (of which the Quit India movement was a step) did succeed.

I didn't, but please don't try to portray India as the ultimate expression of religious toleration (Mrs. Gandhi's assault on the Golden Temple anyone?) Or the BJP's failure to condemn attacks on mosques... there are plenty of examples.

I am sorry, what are we discussing here?

As I understand it, the Falklanders consider themselves to be British.

Yeah the Falklanders want to remain affiliated to the UK, so that's their choice, but the insane military adventure embarked upon by that crazy right-winger Thatcher cost more lives than the population of the islands, and yet still ensured her popularity among mindless flag-wavers and Sun readers everywhere.

The Falklands Islands is a small UK territory in the south pacific, which has been contested by Argentina for almost two hundred years. Argentine invasion in 1982 was followed by a successful British counterattack (Operation: Corporate, the only real naval battle since Midway) that retook the islands. The question is, just who do these Islands belong to?


You brits did a good job in the Falkland war. You guys could have paid for most of it by selling the captured Argentine FALs to us American tourists though :D

Falklands clearly belong to the British. Why? Because the Royal Navy and Marines say so. Would be like asking if the SW US belonged to Mexico....

Why? Because Argintenia is nearer and bigger. By that logic the United States should belong to Canada, and Britain should belong to the rest of continental Europe.

Deal. No takesies-backsies!

Yeah the Falklanders want to remain affiliated to the UK, so that's their choice, but the insane military adventure embarked upon by that crazy right-winger Thatcher cost more lives than the population of the islands, and yet still ensured her popularity among mindless flag-wavers and Sun readers everywhere.

They are British, they deserve the protection of the British armed forces from any external threats.

The Falklands Islands is a small UK territory in the south pacific, which has been contested by Argentina for almost two hundred years. Argentine invasion in 1982 was followed by a successful British counterattack (Operation: Corporate, the only real naval battle since Midway) that retook the islands. The question is, just who do these Islands belong to?

To be honest, I don't know. On my map it always said the Falklands belonged to the British, but i'm not entirely sure...

The Falklands Islands is a small UK territory in the south pacific, which has been contested by Argentina for almost two hundred years. Argentine invasion in 1982 was followed by a successful British counterattack (Operation: Corporate, the only real naval battle since Midway) that retook the islands. The question is, just who do these Islands belong to?

To be honest, I don't know. On my map it always said the Falklands belonged to the British, but i'm not entirely sure...:headbang: :headbang:

They are British, they deserve the protection of the British armed forces from any external threats.

Exactly, we defended them in the same way that we'd defend the Isle of Wight.

Yeah the Falklanders want to remain affiliated to the UK, so that's their choice, but the insane military adventure embarked upon by that crazy right-winger Thatcher cost more lives than the population of the islands, and yet still ensured her popularity among mindless flag-wavers and Sun readers everywhere.

Soo nothing at all to with General Galtieri and his military junta that ran Argentina at the time attacking the Falklands to try and take them over. You'd accuse of Thatcher of being a cold heartless bitch who put money before lives and peoples freedoms if she hadn't sent the Navy to free the islands.

I think that legally the islands belong to Britain. Although the Falklands war may have seemed stupid at the time, Britain couldn't just leave its citizens to be taken over by the Argentines. Also, the defeat of the Argentine totalitarian government was a significant step that led to its downfall.

Whoever owns the property. Whichever government claims it can go to hell for all I care.
Oooh look kids, an anarcho-capitalist.

Seriously, don't you realise that without government private property doesn't really exist. :rolleyes:

but the insane military adventure embarked upon by that crazy right-winger Thatcher cost more lives than the population of the islands
This is wrong.
Civilian Population of the Falklands: 2,379
http://www.falklandislands.com/about_us/falkland_facts.asp

Deaths in the war: 910 (655 Argentine, 255 British)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_war

I consider that the Falklands War was a good thing, although I think that the majority of the rest of Margaret Thatcher's policies were digusting.

Yeah, it may have cost more lives than the population of the islands, but it also brought down the corrupt, dictatorial Argentinian government that "disappeared" many thousands of people. Surely that was a good result of the defence of a British colony?

The Argentinian attack on the islands were to drum up support for the failure of their own government. The repulse of their attack brought 'em down. Good result all round.

Plus, the islanders want to be British, so surely that is a good enough answer for anyone?

The Malvinas were discovered by the Magellan expedition, and then claimed by Spain and the British. However, it was the French who became the first colonists. Spain complained to the French crown and France ceded. Since it was part of the Virreinato de la Plata after independence it became an Argentinian possesion who started using it as prison. Kind of like Australia but smaller and colder.

In 1831, the US ship Lexington destroyed the main port (that's why it belongs to the USA) and in 1832 the British take advantage of the Argentinian weak navy and send the settlers packing back to Buenos Aires while at the same time bringing their own.

Sounds bad, however possession has remained British ever since.

This was a true an honored method of British colonialism, land some people, wait a few years and then send in the Royal Navy. That's how they got Jamaica, Belize, Newfoundland, etc. All those had been settled by people of different countries before the British claimed them.