"Gives us back the Falklands" - Argentina. Here we go again
03 January 2013, 07:27 AM
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"Gives us back the Falklands" - Argentina. Here we go again
Argentina would like their islands back, please.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...en-letter.html
Could we defend them if they were invaded again?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...en-letter.html
Could we defend them if they were invaded again?
Last edited by Oldun; 03 January 2013 at 07:32 AM.
03 January 2013, 08:24 AM
#3
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if it got taken again experts seem to think we'd struggle to take it back, but they also say that taking it would be alot harder now. Argentina have done little if anything to modernise there military yet, while defence budgets have been cut on both sides, the uk has upgraded, Type45 destroyers, better defences already in place etc etc.
Also there is only about 3% of the argentine population that supports a war so they claim.
Also there is only about 3% of the argentine population that supports a war so they claim.
03 January 2013, 09:20 AM
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I remember watching the war unfold on TV, it was the first 'live' visual-media covered war that I had seen.
The country became very patriotic once we found out just where the Falkands were located. I think the majority of folks had no idea where the Islands were.
The Harrier and Vulcan jets were fantastic in that war.
The country became very patriotic once we found out just where the Falkands were located. I think the majority of folks had no idea where the Islands were.
The Harrier and Vulcan jets were fantastic in that war.
Last edited by Oldun; 03 January 2013 at 09:33 AM.
03 January 2013, 09:43 AM
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03 January 2013, 10:02 AM
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It's the main reason. Falklands are a a gateway into Antarctica. If there is drilling or mineral mining to be done there, the Falklands protect UK rights to it.
That and Argentina as a country is still a mess and a bit of sabre rattling helps distract from the general mess their government is in.
They are causing us all sorts of grief down there but I haven't heard of any retaliation from our own government as yet.
If I were Cameron, I'd write an open letter back simply saying 'no' and be done with.
That and Argentina as a country is still a mess and a bit of sabre rattling helps distract from the general mess their government is in.
They are causing us all sorts of grief down there but I haven't heard of any retaliation from our own government as yet.
If I were Cameron, I'd write an open letter back simply saying 'no' and be done with.
03 January 2013, 10:12 AM
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Argentina are shooting themselves in the foot.
If they co-operate with the UK and the Falkland Islanders, they could be a part of the potential oil and gas finds there.
Onshore terminals could be built in Argentina for receiving the oil and gas, stabilising the crude, loading tankers and distributing the natural gas around the country (or compressing it and chilling it into LNG). All this could be done on the Falklands of course but the labour pool there is a little more limited than mainland South America and the logistics of building such a large industrial complex in such an isolated place would be challenging - it would be like Sullom Voe in the Shetlands x 100!.
It could be a win win situation however, Ms Kirchner is unpopular at home and needs to whip up some patriotism there to try and boost her approval.
Steve
If they co-operate with the UK and the Falkland Islanders, they could be a part of the potential oil and gas finds there.
Onshore terminals could be built in Argentina for receiving the oil and gas, stabilising the crude, loading tankers and distributing the natural gas around the country (or compressing it and chilling it into LNG). All this could be done on the Falklands of course but the labour pool there is a little more limited than mainland South America and the logistics of building such a large industrial complex in such an isolated place would be challenging - it would be like Sullom Voe in the Shetlands x 100!.
It could be a win win situation however, Ms Kirchner is unpopular at home and needs to whip up some patriotism there to try and boost her approval.
Steve
03 January 2013, 10:35 AM
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03 January 2013, 10:36 AM
#14
Last I heard at the end of last year was that the Argentinian president had already categorically ruled out a military campaign to try to retake the islands and it will be a purely political fight at the UN.
Don't forget that there is also going to be a referendum held on the island to see if they want to stay as part of the UK or become part of Argentina. You never know, the islanders might vote to leave the UK anyway. Not sure they will though.
Don't forget that there is also going to be a referendum held on the island to see if they want to stay as part of the UK or become part of Argentina. You never know, the islanders might vote to leave the UK anyway. Not sure they will though.
03 January 2013, 11:01 AM
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they wanna stay fine, they wanna go, fine. but they should choose. not some politition thousand miles away who want to win a pissing contest.
There's no arguing both sides have claim from one time or another, who came first is pretty open depending on who you ask. So just go with the current residents views.
There's no arguing both sides have claim from one time or another, who came first is pretty open depending on who you ask. So just go with the current residents views.
03 January 2013, 11:16 AM
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The oil could be transferred via pipeline to Argentina but that is about it, hence them cutting off their nose to spite their face.
Any further and the costs would rocket as you would need pumping stations etc which are feasible on land but not sub-sea.
Steve
03 January 2013, 11:22 AM
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Presently there is no reason to do drill there, the costs are prohibitive and the global feeling would be against it.
However, as prices rise more and more and things get scarcer it becomes economically viable, one way or another. What the Falklands gives us is the right to say "all this is ours and if you want to drill it you need to pay us a nice fat wedge of cash".
whether the Falklands is used as a base for it or not doesn't really matter. It's all about the claim for owning the seabed!
So ok then, oil from the South Atlantic (and other minerals too potentially)
However, as prices rise more and more and things get scarcer it becomes economically viable, one way or another. What the Falklands gives us is the right to say "all this is ours and if you want to drill it you need to pay us a nice fat wedge of cash".
whether the Falklands is used as a base for it or not doesn't really matter. It's all about the claim for owning the seabed!
So ok then, oil from the South Atlantic (and other minerals too potentially)
03 January 2013, 11:36 AM
#22
As mentioned, it's a distraction technique to avoid scrutiny of the Argentine economy. They've been cooking the books since 2008 and it's now coming back to haunt them.
http://www.economist.com/node/21548229
They are still going through the US courts for defaulting on their debt.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/12...tep-friday-in/
http://www.economist.com/node/21548229
They are still going through the US courts for defaulting on their debt.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/12...tep-friday-in/
03 January 2013, 12:05 PM
#23
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No doubt there will be a compromise eventually. Does this country have the ***** to stand firm these days?
The only reason to even consider it would be if there was some kind of benefit we could get from Argentina in return, but the islanders do not seem keen, and who can blame them! What right does Argentina have to tell them what to do?
The only reason to even consider it would be if there was some kind of benefit we could get from Argentina in return, but the islanders do not seem keen, and who can blame them! What right does Argentina have to tell them what to do?
03 January 2013, 01:46 PM
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If it eases they way you actually feel about it, there are very valuable mineral rights around the Falklands anyway, although that should not be the reason for us taking action to defend them.
Les
03 January 2013, 01:56 PM
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Steve
03 January 2013, 01:56 PM
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I personally very much doubt that we could retake them in the manner we did in '82. If the cupboard was bare then, compared to the current situation, it was overflowing 
However I also believe that the point is moot, since it is even more doubtful that the Argies could actually sieze them now, even if they had the political will to try
However I also believe that the point is moot, since it is even more doubtful that the Argies could actually sieze them now, even if they had the political will to try
03 January 2013, 02:00 PM
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Rockhopper are drilling there and have been for some time. A drilling rig costs a silly amount of money (up to $200 000 per day + the cost of crew, support ships etc.) to hire and so you don't go to the time and expense of drilling and test flowing wells if you don't intend to exploit the reserves. Assuming that the reserves are sufficient of course...
Steve
Steve
CrisPDuk - the island has missles on it now (I believe) and has been better fortified. The general feeling is, they couldn't be taken now without a serious assault and it would be very very difficult for Argentina to go at it with that much force.
03 January 2013, 02:17 PM
#30
Wikipedia says
Main article: Military of the Falkland Islands
A British military garrison is stationed on the Falkland Islands, and the islands also have a company-sized light infantry unit (FIDF) that is completely funded by the Falklands government (£400,000 in 2009).[82] The unit is trained under a secondment arrangement with the MOD – as of 2010 the FIDF employed a Royal Marine WO2 as a permanent staff instructor and a major as commanding officer; the rest of the force are part-timers. It is equipped with quad bikes, inflatable boats and Land Rovers and is armed with heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and sniper rifles. In addition to defense duties, the force provides a mountain rescue service and has been trained by the Royal Navy in mounting armed deterrence against illegal fishing activity.[82][83]
Main article: Military of the Falkland Islands
A British military garrison is stationed on the Falkland Islands, and the islands also have a company-sized light infantry unit (FIDF) that is completely funded by the Falklands government (£400,000 in 2009).[82] The unit is trained under a secondment arrangement with the MOD – as of 2010 the FIDF employed a Royal Marine WO2 as a permanent staff instructor and a major as commanding officer; the rest of the force are part-timers. It is equipped with quad bikes, inflatable boats and Land Rovers and is armed with heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and sniper rifles. In addition to defense duties, the force provides a mountain rescue service and has been trained by the Royal Navy in mounting armed deterrence against illegal fishing activity.[82][83]