Last year president Obama said that the USA was neutral with regard to the dispute between Argentina and the UK over the "Maldives". Obama was actually discussing the "Malvinas" islands not the Maldives. The Malvinas is the name that Argentina uses for the Falkland Islands, a British territory in the South Atlantic several hundred miles east of Argentina. Forgetting for the moment that Obama could not even get the name right, his policy announcement with regard to this dispute was, to use diplomatic language, completely idiotic. The Falklands have been British for over two centuries, and they were never part of Argentina. The residents of the islands had expressed their views in the past that they wanted to stay part of Britain. In the 1980's, Argentine forces invaded the islands and the British sent a naval task force which ousted the Argentines in a bloody fight. At the time, the USA under president Reagan supported the British. So when Obama announced neutrality, it was a distinct change for the American position as well as a slap in the face to our closest ally, the only European country to send meaningful forces to fight alongside Americans in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Yesterday, the Falkland Islands conducted an election which included a ballot question asking whether or not the Islands should remain a British overseas territory. Turnout was in the mid 90% range. The results were that 99.8% of the Island residents voted to remain part of Britain. Among the islanders there were only three people who voted to separate from the UK. In other words, there is a very strong desire by the people who live in the Falklands to remain British.
The United States supposedly supports democracy across the globe. There is nothing more democratic than an election, so the democratic voice of the Falklands has been heard. It would be extremely appropriate for the USA to announce now that in view of this election, we support the continued affiliation of the Falklands to the UK. So, president Obama, can we take sides now?
Yesterday, the Falkland Islands conducted an election which included a ballot question asking whether or not the Islands should remain a British overseas territory. Turnout was in the mid 90% range. The results were that 99.8% of the Island residents voted to remain part of Britain. Among the islanders there were only three people who voted to separate from the UK. In other words, there is a very strong desire by the people who live in the Falklands to remain British.
The United States supposedly supports democracy across the globe. There is nothing more democratic than an election, so the democratic voice of the Falklands has been heard. It would be extremely appropriate for the USA to announce now that in view of this election, we support the continued affiliation of the Falklands to the UK. So, president Obama, can we take sides now?
No comments:
Post a Comment