Falkland Islands SituationPhillip Martel

The Situation•Argentina claims the rights to the islands because they believed to have inherited them when they gained freedom from Spain in the early 1820’s.•Britain claims rights to the land after claiming sovereignty in 1833 after settling and expelling the Argentineans. Most of the islanders are of British decent.

Past Attempts•1965- Argentina pressured claims on the land, UN called it “colonial problem” and called both countries to negotiate, talks went on and off going no where•April 2, 1982- Argentina invaded the islands. Three days later, Britain sent troops. After 655 Argentine and 255 British died, Argentina surrendered on June 14.•1990- the two nations restored diplomatic relations but still failed to come to a conclusion over flights to the island and fishing rights

Recently•May 2009- Britain rejected request by Argentina to talk on future sovereignty over land•December 2009- Argentina passed law claiming Falklands, Britain rejected•February 2010- British oil company began exploring for oil near islands, Argentina responded by requiring all ships passing through Falklands to have permit

Argentina’s Side•Spanish landed and conquered Argentina•Spanish had settlements on islands•When Argentina gained independence, they believe they have right to all lands Spain conquered which included Falkland Islands•Claimed sovereignty over islands in 1820•Monroe Doctrine (1823)- European colonies cannot colonize in the Americas anymore, any act of colonization considered act of aggression

Great Britain’s Side•Came to islands in 1690•Claimed sovereignty over islands in 1833 when they wiped out all Argentineans on islands•British then had more settlers come to islands•Currently, white British-decent people dominate country•Want to do offshore drilling near the islands•Major ally in the past•Supported US in Iraq- Britain feels like we need to help them with their problem

Currently•US staying neutral in situation•Does not want to get involved at all

What should the US do?

Mediate the Situation•Argentina wants the land- let the islands become a part of Argentina. Why have land hundreds of miles away be a part of that nation?•Britain wants oil- let them do their offshore drilling, this is the main thing they want

Sources•http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/present_timeline_noflash.shtml•http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4087743.stm•http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/15/falkland-islands-issue-ma_n_499573.html•http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Monroe.html•http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/60250,news-comment,news-politics,falklands-barack-obama-under-fire-for-failing-britain-oil-argentina-ally