The Falklands dilemmas

Press, 21 November 1987, Page 22

The Falklands dilemmas

This year’s United Nations debate on the Falkland Islands has followed predictable patterns. Argentina is insisting on its sovereignty claims to the Falklands; Britain is stoutly resisting handing over the Falklands to Argentina. The debate will surely end with most countries in the world voting in favour of Britain entering into negotiations over sovereignty with Argentina and afterwards Britain will take no notice.

Not much has changed since the end of the 1982 war between Britain and Argentina. Argentina has attached its sovereignty claim to all dealings between Argentina and Britain on the subject. Britain has wanted the sovereignty claim to be shelved, and practical matters discussed. These have included fishing. In the end Britain imposed a fishing zone around the islands to prevent the complete depletion of the fishing resources. Argentina was under a military dictatorship when it invaded the islands. It is now a

democracy, but has lost none of its determination to have the islands recognised as Argentinian territory. The British take the view that the Falkland Islanders want to remain British, and that Britain will maintain their right to do so. This has proved immensely costly for Britain because of the military forces it has to station there.

Both Britain and Argentina are in a dilemma. President Alfonsin of Argentina cannot afford, for domestic political reasons, to let the matter rest. Britain won a costly war against Argentina. If it now handed over the islands to Argentina, against the wishes of the islanders, it would seem that the principle on which the Falklands war was fought — that of protecting British subjects — was betrayed. Only time may change the perceptions of the islanders, and the feelings of the British Government. Five years is too short a time.