Falkland Islanders choice

However much the President of Argentina, the wonderfully described “Galtieri with Bra and Knickers” by a commentator in the Daily Torygraph, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, wants to deflect attention away from the rampant fiscal difficulties she faces at home, the United nations must respect the wishes of the indigenous people as to where their national loyalties lie.

I had the pleasure of working in the Cayman Islands a few years back and although they have some degree of autonomy, tempered by a Governor and a very hands on Foreign and Commonwealth office these days, they still reserve a corner of their flag for the Union Flag and support the British monarchy far more than we do! For them, being ‘part of Britain’ is not so much a desire to be subservient but sharing certain values that Britain can bring. (I am not convinced those values exist in quite the same way as they did, but that’s another matter. The Cayman Islands and many others think they do however.)

The same goes for the Falkland Islands. Forget what lies under the seabed around the islands, what is important is what the Falkland Islanders want. They are to be given a choice although I suspect the answer is a foregone conclusion and that choice will be to stick two fingers up at the Argentines and a reaffirmation of the marriage vows – of far more than a marriage of convenience – with their ‘mother country’.

I trust the United Nations takes note of their wishes as they are required by their ‘self determination’ policy and will also note the increasing bullying by the Argentinian Government. And we can all hope for an early end to Kirchner’s presidency and some return to sanity in a country who’s people deserve better.