25 Years ago we went to war over some islands many thousands of miles away...?

Question

Is it right that we should be able to claim sovereingty over a place that is so far away from us. What gives us that right ?

Some very bizarre responses - at no time have I expressed an opinion on this matter, I have meerly asked a question.

Answer 1

Good question.
The question of sovereignty is at stake in Iraq, even if the context is different.
Ultimately, the successful conclusion of the Falklands War gave a noticeable fillip to British patriotic feeling, with the mobilisation of national identity encapsulated in the concept of "Falklands Factor." Since the failure of the 1956 Suez campaign, the end of Empire and the economic decline of the 1970s which culminated in the Winter of Discontent, Britain had been beset by uncertainty and anxiety about its international role, status and capability. With the war successfully concluded, Thatcher was returned to power with an increased Parliamentary majority and felt empowered to press ahead with the painful economic readjustments of Thatcherism. A second major effect was a reaffirmation of the special relationship between the US and UK to arguably its closest level ever. Both Reagan and Weinberger (his Secretary of Defence) received honorary knighthoods for their help in the campaign, but the more obvious result was the common alignment of Britain and the USA in a more confrontational foreign policy against the Soviet bloc, sometimes known as the Second Cold War.

Mobilisation of national identity in Argentina, called the "Malvinas Spirit," has now developed in a constant recovery of the relevant aspects of the Falklands-Malvinas War that boost national self-image.

My opinion: so-called democratic countries must not talk about democracy when the real reasons are economic or patriotic! A real democracy should not allow this ... contempt!

Answer 2

I was only 11 at the time but I have quite a few memories of the Falklands War... - my cousin responding to an ad for girls to write to guys sailing with the Task Force. She got a reply back from this guy on HMS Sheffield. Next day she read in the paper he was one of those killed. - reading the papers and watching every news bulletin ever day to follow what was happening. - all the excitement when the Task Force sailed, and again when it came back home. That TV programme the other day with Carol Thatcher quite annoyed me with the Argentinians calling Margaret Thatcher a war criminal. I really do not understand the fuss about the sinking of the Belgrano and those women grieving over their lost sons. The simple fact is: it was a war, and if Argentina hadn't invaded there would have been no war. Blame your corrupt generalissimos, not Margaret Thatcher. We should give the Falklands to Argentina. When the majority of the population of those islands decide they no longer want to be British that is. EDIT: Reading some of the other answers. We did have help from the US in form of diplomatic and intelligence support.

Answer 3

The people of the Falkland Islands have the right to self determination, and they have determined to be British.
The ancestors of the present day population occupied an unpopulated island before the establishment of Argentina as a country, which is now occupied by the descendants of Spanish invaders who occupied the country and slaughtered the indigenous peoples. This gives them no rights to claim an island in international waters

Edited to add a comment on streetfighters post.

A long a detailed post, but it made no mention of the people who live in the Falklands, or what they want.

Answer 4

The Falklands have a predominantly English population and the better question is why a South American dictatorship in those days, should be able to take over a country by force. It was all because there were signs of oil and junta was on its last legs in Argentina.
Argentina was a product of Spanish colonization, it was not as if it had even any historical entitlement to the Falklands - other than in terms of an agreement ratified by the Roman Catholic Church and Spain and Portugal.

Answer 5

I've served there; the people are of British/Norwegian extraction, not Spanish/Argentinian extraction. The Falklands were British before Argentina was independent. If WE have no right there, why should the Argentinians, mainly of Spanish descent, be in Argentina? Shouldn't they return to Spain and let the locals have THEIR land?

Stop asking liberalista Qs and look for evidence from those who give evidence, not just opinion. & if you hate Britain that much, bog off to France.

Edit: it's the way that you worded the Q that betrays an anti-British stance: are you Tony Blair?

Answer 6

The people on the Falkland Islands wish to remain British, it is their right moron!
Ask any Islander and they will tell you how very grateful they are that the British Government fought a war to allow them to remain British.
And Remember the Argentines invaded the Falklands which was/is British and tried to FORCE their way of life onto the Falkland Islanders.
Or does that not fit into your way of unrational thinking?

Answer 7

Cos we went over there to take it back from them, hundreds if not thousands of Brits paid the ultimate price and the Argies surrendered sovereinty to us after a very hard battle, were you old enough at the time to understand what was going on or is this based on current news items!

Plus the inhabitants like being British!

Not sure about the Penguins view though

Answer 8

It is not a question of claiming sovreignty over the islands but a right to defend people who are of British extraction and want to remain British.
This is the right of people to choose their nation.
The islanders were invaded by a foreign country and wanted to be freed and therefore it was our duty to expel the invaders.

Answer 9

being English gives us that right... and the falklands are on our doorstep compared to australia new zealand and canada, what about hong kong?

its what we do, we invade foreign countries and put them to the sword, figuratively if not literaly any more... and we pillage and plunder, taking what we want, and discarding the rest.

it is this attitude which has prevailed for the last 500 years, and it serves us well. if you dont like it, or feel that it leaves a bad taste, then you know where the door is... pick up your ungrateful as, grab your passport and head out into the sunset... and dont come back.

Answer 10

Great Britain got there first! the descendants of those original inhabitants are still there today and wish to stay British! who can balme em ,We are the best!.