germany wanted to own the world and that was less than 60 odd years ago!

So?

so,
from the start of time nation's have invaded its neighbur,s to take over and claim their land for their own.

The Falklands Islands is one of 14 British Overseas Territories, not a colony ..... :nono:

As for "we should give them back", who to?

The Amerinindians, the Dutch, the French, the Spanish or the Johnny come-lately "Argentinians" ..... :puzzled:

But that's not really how we work these days. We started to dismantle our empire after the 2nd war.

You really are missing the point spectacularly. They don't belong to a country 8000 miles away.

You are missing the point - they don't "belong" to the UK because the residents have voted to remain under the jurisdiction of the UK, while retaining a large degree of self-government ..... :idc:

Who's "we" ?

The "Argentinians" certainly did that in living memory and I'm sure that Iraq invaded Kuwait not long ago ..... :conf:

A brief look at Wiki displays :

2008 invasion of Gaza by Israel
2008 invasion of Georgia by Russia
2008 invasion of Anjouan by the African Union
2006 invasion of Somalia by Ethiopia
2006 invasion of Lebanon by Israel
2003 invasion of Iraq by United States-led coalition
2001 invasion of Afghanistan by United States-led coalition

Yes But the Falklands
and our new Energy Deals
are Special.


Argie is Bankrupt
she does this to avoid the real problem she has.

If the Argies try anything we'll blow them to hell, right arista?

Bloody Right

Yeah, just like before .....

I rather think that is for them to decide.

Yeah, send in the Ghurkas ..... :thumbs:

I'm sure you're trying to make a point here, but I don't see it. We are a former empire, and as such we have to show a little more humility.

The days where sticking our flag in the ground meant control, are long gone. That part of the world has nothing to do with us. We need to find a workable solution for the current islanders, but there is no good reason why that land could ever be ours.

BIB - :conf:

What's "humility" got to do with the wishes of the residents of the Falklands Islands (known to the Dutch, who first sighted them in 1600, as the Sebald Islands, a name they bore on Dutch maps into the 19th century) ?

:conf:

It's nothing to do with sticking our flag into a piece of land, it's about what the inhabitants of that place want. If they want to be Argentinian, then the argument would be over. But they don't. The Channel Islands are closer to France. It's not all about proximity.

I honestly wouldnt care if the Falklands wanted to be independant, but they don't. Hell, even if they were, they'd suddenly become very vunerable without a whole Navy backing them up.

How much does this cost the UK tax payer?

We are enduring cuts in public spending closing libraries, hospitals and schools.

How many hospital operations could be paid for by the cost it takes to support Fortress Las Malvenas (It's proper name!!!)

According to UN conventions in the 1960's we were to give up the islands as they part of out dated colonialism.

Well, the same applies to the late-coming immigrants of Argentina, who all came from Europe, 1000's of miles away, to plunder the country - the Spanish planted their flag in the 16th century .....

Later, the Conquest of the Desert was a military campaign in the 1870s with the intent to establish Argentine dominance over Patagonia, which was inhabited by indigenous peoples. Under General Roca, the so-called Conquest of the Desert extended Argentine power into Patagonia. European settlers turned the conquered lands into a breadbasket which made Argentina an agricultural superpower in the early 20th century. The Conquest is commemorated on the 100 peso bill in Argentina .....

So the Agentianians should give Patagonian land back to the indigenous peoples ..... :idc:

There is one

Evict the squatters

Hand Las Malvenas back to Argentina the rightful owners and fulfil our UN obligations dating back to the 1960's

Then we could save a lot of money which could be put back into the NHS

BIB - Good point ..... ;)

None of that seems to take the islanders wishes into consideration, the majority of the islands wants to stay as a United Kingdom overseas territory, I think what the islanders want is more important than what some outdated suits from the UN want. The islanders are British citizens, they want to be British citzens, refusing them the right to be what they want to be would be unjust.

You can't just throw away responsibilities because they're costing you too much.

Hand Argentina back to the Amerindians first ..... evict the Spanish squatters and their descendants .....