The twenty-fifth anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falklands should remind us all of the importance of principle in foreign affairs. Margaret Thatcher’s brave decision to send a task force to reclaim the islands was based upon the principles that unprovoked military aggression should not be rewarded and that the British islanders had a right to self-determination. The invasion was an illegal act and hence warranted a forceful response. Despite being given a ’50/50′ chance of the task force’s success by her military commanders, and the expression of some doubts both within and without government, the then Prime Minister stood firmly, arguing the case to stand up to the intimidation of the Argentine military junta. She was proven to be right.
The loss of 255 British lives was a high cost to pay to defend Britons on the other side of the world, however, I truly believe that they died for a cause worth defending. Britain should never shirk from defending its people, its territory and its interests. To do so, would be to invite another conflict similar to that which we witnessed in 1982.
June 1st, 2007 - 9:29 am
The Islas Malvinas are located 300 miles (483 km) from the coast of Argentina (on the argentinean continental plate)hence they have been the subject of a claim to sovereignty by Argentina since the British invasion of 1833.The United Kingdom took control of the islands by force with the 1833 invasion of the Falkland Islands following the destruction of the Argentine settlement at Puerto Soledad by the American sloop USS Lexington (December 28, 1831).in 1790, the United Kingdom officially ceded control of the islands to Spain, and renounced any and all colonial ambitions in South America, and its adjacent islands, as part of the Nootka Convention. You should read about “uti possidetis juris” LAs Malvinas son Argentinas!!!
November 15th, 2007 - 12:14 pm
Oh, come on. Claiming the Falklands would be as absurd as Sweden claiming Norway because we controlled Norway 100 years ago. Grow up…