The Falkland Island a background paper

A Background paper

By Hadeel M. Al-Refai

1. Abstract

The Falkland Islands are located in the South Atlantic Ocean and are an archipelago of Islands. The colonization of the Falkland Islands happened during the 17^th century, by countries such as France, Argentina, Britain, and Spain. Over time the Falkland Islands were invaded numerous times for its natural resources and fertile land. But what country conquered the Falkland Islands remained unknown. Britain was no longer hesitant in proclaiming maximum economic rights to the seas around the islands. Bringing in a steady income for the islands, Britain has been issued from the governor of the Falkland Islands there right to fish the rich stocks in the South Atlantic. Furthermore, oil and gas have been discovered within the Falkland Island water territory and are being made to extract these reserves.

France, Argentina, Britain, and Spain during the 1800’s have settled in the Falkland Islands. In 1833 Britain reestablished its rule while Argentina claimed it was Argentinian. Britain and Argentina became rivals and Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. For two months the Falkland Islands remained undeclared, until Argentina surrendered all forces and the return of the islands to British administration. It is perhaps ironic that a war nearly destroyed a community of islands. Even though both the Argentine and the British tried to conquer the Falkland Islands the major language of the Falkland Islands is English and not Argentinian. Oil is one of the natural resources in the Falkland Islands and the Argentine and British had common interest. Even though Britain has ultimate superiority on the Falkland Islands they’re maritime disputes remain valuable to Argentina.

3. Glossary of the Issue

Maritime: Objects or activities related to the sea.

Falklands War: Also known as the Falkland conflict, a war in 1982 between Argentina and Britain.

British Overseas Territories: Territories under the control of the United Kingdom.

Colonization: When one or more countries populate humans in a different region and take over in claiming it as there’s.

Treaty of Utrecht: The Treaties of Utrecht, signed in 1713, put an end to the War Spanish Succession; it is a treaty between France, Spain, and Great Britain, to establish a compromise of peace treaties rather than a single document.

Treaty of Tordesillas: A treaty signed to divide newly discovered lands outside Europe signed on June 7, 1494.

4. History of the Issue

Fought in 1982, the Falklands War was the result of the Argentine invasion of the British-owned Falkland Islands. Located in the South Atlantic, Argentina had long claimed these islands as part of its territory. On April 2, 1982, Argentine forces landed in the Falklands, capturing the islands two days later. In response, the British dispatched a naval and amphibious task force to the area. The initial phase of the conflict occurred mainly at sea between elements of the Royal Navy and the Argentine Air Force. On May 21, British troops landed and by June 14 had compelled the Argentine occupiers to surrender. In March 1982, Argentinean scraps metal dealers landed on British sovereign territory. In March 1982, Argentinean scraps metal dealers landed on British sovereign territory (the Island of St. Georgia in the South Atlantic) and raised the Argentine flag. This was the base for an old whaling station as the island had little importance. However, it was British territory and what the Argentineans did was illegal under international law. The illegal occupation of the Falklands by the Argentine military and the refusal of the Argentine men to leave, this would be the explanation as to why the war started. The argument held by the Argentine government and seemingly by many people in Argentine, was that the islands, being just 200 miles to the east of the Argentine mainland, belonged to the nearest country which is Argentina. At the time of the invasion, Argentina was experiencing chronic economic problems, primarily centered on a severe rate of inflation. From Britain’s standpoint Argentine was guilty of violating international law and the failure of diplomacy meant that the only route Britain could go alone was a military one. From Argentina’s standpoint, Britain was resting on her imperialist past and occupying land that logically could not be British territory. As neither was willing to back down despite the diplomatic maneuvers that occurred, war was inevitable.

With the Falkland Islands being prosperous in oil and rich stock for oil, The Prime Minister of Argentina Mr. Timerman believes Britain has a strong desire for oil, and is aiming to taking complete authority and leadership of the oil in the Falkland Islands. Argentina claiming Britain wanting complete authority makes tension rise between Argentina and Britain. In the Falkland Islands, Britain has settled three of their oil companies and are now prospering. Although The Prime Minister of Argentina does not acknowledge the existence of the Falkland Islands, he raises no objection to taking some advantage of the oil residing in that area. In 2010 Britain claimed authorization and their right of the use of oil in the Falkland Islands.

The Falkland Islands can be beneficial to Argentina and Britain. Compromise peacefully over the islands and over its resources would settle the issue and maybe resolve it once and for all. Throughout history compromise has settled many agreements between countries, and has the potential to settle this one. The Territorial Commission can resolve this by stating exactly how the islands and, its resources will be divided by Argentina and Britain through a resolution. Perhaps in this way more than one country can benefit from them and benefit its people.

Work Cited

http://en.mercopress.com/2013/02/13/we-are-a-people-and-we-do-exist