I know each side recalled it’s ambassador and closed it’s embassy, but what happened to all the “civilian” Argentines in the UK and Britons in Argentina? Were they subject to internment or deportation? Or just ignored and tried to keep a low profile?
During the conflict, which only lasted 74 days, neither side declared war. Additionally, all the fighting took place in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of miles from Argentina and thousands of miles from Britain.
In other words, there was no need to intern or deport ordinary foreigners during such a brief conflict, though I’m sure many left of their own accord until things cooled down. I have heard stories of Britons and American being beaten in the streets of Buenos Aires during the conflict and I’m sure similar things happened in Britain. (Hell, a German soccer fan was nearly beaten by a crowd of English soccer fans during the last World Cup.)
The most high profile instance I recall from the time was at the London soccer club Tottenham Hotspur, which had a pair of Argentinian players signed at the time, Ossie Ardiles and Ricardo Villa. The reaction from the fans was predictable. Ardiles left the country for a while, Villa played on IIRC. (but left the following year, according to wikipedia)
I don’t recall anything worse than verbal abuse, but it’s quite possible that any serious problems were kept quiet by the press for fear of inflaming the situation. I don’t know how many Argentinian nationals were in Britain at the time.
Ardiles went on loan for a year to Paris St. Germain, but then returned, and continued playing for the club for another 5 years. He later managed Tottenham for a year, in the early 90s.
The darts player Jocky Wilson was married to an Argentinian. From wiki:
As I recall, it was the press wanting to make an issue of it, but I don’t remember anybody feeling any antipathy towards her. If anything, it was the reverse, because it was patently obvious she had nothing to do with the political/military situation.
And Dexys Midnight Runners released a tribute to Jocky soon after those troubled times. (look at the face on the screen)
[QUOTE(Hell, a German soccer fan was nearly beaten by a crowd of English soccer fans during the last World Cup.)[/QUOTE]
No they didn’t what were you watching?
Do you have any evidence to say the the Brittish public (although they dislike the Argies) beat them up on the streets or are you sucking it out your thumb
I was at school at the time of the war. We had a very large international proportion of students, mostly boarders, and I think that internationalistic element prevented any anti-Argentinian reaction.
There was also quite a broad realization that this ‘conflict’ was used by reactionary media from both countries to propagandize their respective populations, I joined the BBC in 1983 and there were many horror stories of media relations people from Number 10 Downing Street trying to pressurise News into supporting ‘Our Boys down south’.
If you dig deep enough into the English you will find a supporter of the underdog. The military junta in Buenos Aires we despised, the Argentinians we have always found common ground with.
Peter
Don’t say ‘we.’
I know many english people who dislike not hate the argies
I remember people stopped eating Fray Bentos pies (which is a good thing for the nation’s health). Which was ridiculous as they’re from Uruguay.
They were mostly ignored really in the UK, but then I would have thought the Argentinian population would have been tiny really, it’s not very big now. I would imagine it would have been quite easy to just keep your head down for three months or so.
27 Jun 2010 – English fans confronted and surrounded a lone, bare-chested German supporter amid bitter scenes in Leicester Square. The man was pushed and elbowed as he tried to find his way through the crowd. Other England fans turned over bins and burned Germany flags as dozens of police officers stood guard.
I’ll bet that German fan wished he was in Bloemfontein instead of Leicester Square.
Christ, that’s practically World War II. :eek:
I didn’t say it was horrific violence. mla1 accused me of making up story. I was providing proof that I didn’t.