# What's the Deal with the Falkland Islands? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 25, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629 "2012-01-25T19:49:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2012, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/301 "2012-05-06T23:21:14Z")
> [@nudgenudge](#): > > Again, you’re being wise after the event. There is no indication from the film that one of the sites in the film is a war memorial. So, you’re saying the Argentine guy and the guy with the camera can’t read English? I’ll buy that. ---
**Author:** ![nudgenudge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9f8e36/32.png) [@nudgenudge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nudgenudge)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/302 "2012-05-06T23:40:22Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > So, you’re saying the Argentine guy and the guy with the camera can’t read English? > I’ll buy that. I repeat, there is no indication in the film that any of the sites is a war memorial. As I’m sure you know, I have not said that the film crew unwittingly used a war memorial site. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2012, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/303 "2012-05-07T02:22:19Z")
> [@nudgenudge](#): > > I repeat, there is no indication in the film that any of the sites is a war memorial. As I’m sure you know, I have not said that the film crew unwittingly used a war memorial site. It is, according to the British press. If the guys couldn’t read English, I’m willing to give it a pass. What is your problem? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Orca\_Eyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4491bb/32.png) [@Orca\_Eyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orca_Eyes)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/304 "2012-05-17T00:24:35Z")
I personally think the Falkland Islands thing is something that British people like to dwell on for ridiculous reasons. The islands are theirs, so why are they getting so worked up about it? ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/305 "2012-05-17T12:04:31Z")
> [@nudgenudge](#): > > I repeat, there is no indication in the film that any of the sites is a war memorial. As I’m sure you know, I have not said that the film crew unwittingly used a war memorial site. So what’s your point then? ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/306 "2012-05-17T13:14:29Z")
> [@Orca\_Eyes](#): > > I personally think the Falkland Islands thing is something that British people like to dwell on for ridiculous reasons. The islands are theirs, so why are they getting so worked up about it? Because Argentina are not just making increasingly bellicose noises they are trying to exert economic and diplomatic muscle. Your sentence would be true if you replaced ‘British’ with ‘Argentinian’ though and inserted the word ‘not’ in front of ‘theirs’ though. We in the UK would be quite happy to not give the Falklands a second thought if Argentina would just GTFU and stop whining. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/307 "2012-05-17T14:10:10Z")
> [@Orca\_Eyes](#): > > I personally think the Falkland Islands thing is something that British people like to dwell on for ridiculous reasons. The islands are theirs, so why are they getting so worked up about it? Who’s worked up about it? The British aren’t worked up; the Argentines are. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/308 "2012-05-17T17:36:46Z")
> [@Orca\_Eyes](#): > > I personally think the Falkland Islands thing is something that British people like to dwell on for ridiculous reasons. The islands are theirs, so why are they getting so worked up about it? We haven’t mentioned it in 30 years. And we’re largely just ignoring Argentina’s excited sabre-rattling. We neither dwell on it or get worked up about it. The Argies, on the other hand… ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/309 "2013-01-03T15:42:46Z")
Argentina continues its, uh, charm offensive: > **[Argentina presses claim to Falkland Islands, accusing UK of colonialism | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2013/01/03/world/europe/argentina-falklands-letter/index.html?hpt=hp_t3)** > > Argentina’s president once again calls on the UK to return the Falklands – known in Argentina as Las Malvinas – accusing Britain of colonialism. Referendum for the Falkland Islanders coming up in March: > **[Falkland Islands will vote on political status | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2012/06/12/world/americas/falklands-referendum/index.html)** > > The Falkland Islands government announced Tuesday that the British territory will hold a referendum on its political status. > **[2013 Falkland Islands sovereignty referendum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falkland_Islands_sovereignty_referendum,_2013)** > > A referendum on political status was held in the Falkland Islands on 10–11 March 2013. The Falkland Islanders were asked whether or not they supported the continuation of their status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom in view of Argentina's call for negotiations on the islands' sovereignty. > On a turnout of 92%, 99.8% voted to remain a British territory, with only three votes against. Had the islanders rejected the continuation of their current status, a second referendum on possib... ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/310 "2013-01-03T15:46:46Z")
I don’t understand what Fernandez’ endgame is here. All this bitching can’t just be for home consumption, can it? ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/311 "2013-01-03T16:02:12Z")
It might encourage FDI in Argentina from North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/312 "2013-01-03T16:09:10Z")
FDI? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/313 "2013-01-03T16:12:24Z")
Foreign direct investment, also known as “please give us a textile plant”. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/314 "2013-01-03T16:33:10Z")
Ah, tennis shoe factories. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/315 "2013-01-04T21:17:31Z")
A good [CNN.com](http://CNN.com) overview of the situation, suggesting that a return to armed conflict is very unlikely: [http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/03/world/falklands-argentina-background/index.html?iid=article\_sidebar](http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/03/world/falklands-argentina-background/index.html?iid=article_sidebar) ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/316 "2013-01-10T14:55:07Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I don’t understand what Fernandez’ endgame is here. All this bitching can’t just be for home consumption, can it? She’s massively unpopular at home so there’s one reason. But also so much fish, oil and chunks of Antartica come with ownership of the Falklands that Argentina have to keep asserting their claim. Because who knows what the future holds. Some day, as the region solidifies a stance against ‘colonialism’ it might become in the USA’s interest to not support the UK claim and then maybe it’s Game On militarily again in their eyes. But I stand by my previous position that Argentina can shut the frack up and grow the frack up. Argentina is just like a bunch of ‘waa-waa, we wants’ infants who think if they shriek and sulk longly and loudly enough they’ll get what they want. Speaking as a peace-loving English left-type - absolutely no damn way. Until such times as the Islanders decide to stop being British there is no issue of sovereignty to be decided and all the bleating and wailing in the world isn’t going to change that while the UK has a couple of attack submarines capable of torpedoing every Argentine hull and dropping cruise missiles on every military base. ---
**Author:** ![Atakapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/317 "2013-01-10T15:30:56Z")
The moment the Argies decided to sucker punch the UK during negotiations was the moment they forfeited any and all legitimate claims on the Falklands in my eyes. ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/318 "2013-01-10T16:01:35Z")
> [@Atakapa](#): > > The moment the Argies decided to sucker punch the UK during negotiations was the moment they forfeited any and all legitimate claims on the Falklands in my eyes. The stupid thing is if they had played their cards right in 1980-2 they could probably had sovereignty of the islands years ago. The British government had made it very clear it had no real interest in the islands and with a real Argentinian charm offensive - easy transport links to the mainland, respect for local customs and rights, economic development etc - the islanders might have been pursuaded to accept a “leaseback” arrangement - Argentina gets sovereignty but the islanders remain British. The difficulty, then as now, was to convince the islanders that this was what they wanted. Unfortunately there was no way the Argentinian junta could actually run a convincing campaign! ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/319 "2013-01-10T16:07:42Z")
> [@MarcusF](#): > > The difficulty, then as now, was to convince the islanders that this was what they wanted. Unfortunately there was no way the Argentinian junta could actually run a convincing campaign! If I were an Islander I’d want a few more decades of stable Argentine democracy and a lot less hysterical demagogery every time some politician feels a bit unpopular before I’d even begin thinking about considering a change. ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/320 "2013-01-10T16:13:23Z")
> [@tagos](#): > > If I were an Islander I’d want a few more decades of stable Argentine democracy and a lot less hysterical demagogery every time some politician feels a bit unpopular before I’d even begin thinking about considering a change. Exactly. Even before the invasion there was no way a military junta could convince the islanders it was a good idea and following the invasion and with the continued posturing of the democratic politicians I can’t see it for many years to come. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629.md?page=17)