A man covered in an Argentine flag with an image of the Falkland Islands stands at the Falklands War Memorial in Buenos Aires, Apr. 1, 2010. April 2 is the 28th anniversary of the start of the war between Argentina and the UK over the islands.
AP Photo

"There is Nothing to Discuss on the Falklands' Sovereignty"

Op-Ed, The Huffington Post

April 5, 2010

Author: Azeem Ibrahim, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 2008–2010

Belfer Center Programs or Projects: International Security

"Last week saw the largest anti-British protest in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires since the Falklands War in 1982. The event drew thousands of people onto the streets amid controversy over the UK's decision to drill for oil in the areas surrounding the islands.

Despite the British having liberated the islands in 1982 after a brief Argentinean occupation, Buenos Aires has always maintained that the Falklands, or Malvinas as they call them, are part of Argentinean territory and under illegal British occupation.

But Argentina's claim over the islands is weak, and Britain's is strong. The islands were settled before Argentina existed, and its inhabitants want the islands to stay British. The basic principle of self-determination cannot just be brushed aside.

Some policy analysts in the UK have claimed that it is now time for the UK to consider surrendering the islands to Argentina. They use a number of arguments...."

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