Jay Kersting's Blog

Argentina – Quit your crying

Have you heard the latest from Argentina?

They want the Falkland Islands.  No, this is not a repost from 1982.

The British are drilling for petroleum off shore of the Falkland Islands and Argentina is crying foul.  Why?  Because, despite the ass-whipping they took back in 1982, they still think the islands are theirs. 

Argentina is calling for the United Nations to step in and prevent the UK from moving forward.  Again, because they are STILL claiming the islands, which they call the Malvinas, even though it has been settled for at least 82 years.

Now, some could argue that this has been settled since British sovereignty was established in 1833.  That is 177 year for those who are keeping track at home.  But there is another issue…and I will get to that in a few paragraphs.

Despite the claims by Argentina that the islands are their territory, the Brits have actually tried to be decent neighbors.  Up until the Falklands war, the only regular air service to and from the islands was provided by an Argentine air provider.  And the energy needs for the islands were provided by the Argentine national energy company, YPF. 

But after the attack by Argentina in 1982, things have NOT been as friendly.  Why should they be?  The Brits tried to play nice, throwing the Argentine’s a nice bone by giving them some business only to get their hands bitten. 

And there are still some remnants of the war on the islands.  Notably, the 30,000 plastic landmines that remain as a deterrant outside to a Royal Army post near Stanley, the Falkland Island’s capital.  And because they are plastic, they are hard to detect and hard to remove.  I doubt that Argentina really wants to send their young men and women over to become human mine detectors.  But maybe they are that stupid.

So, this is what it might be all about.  Money.  But it is hard to know when you have a leftist government in place.  It hasn’t helped Hugo Chavez any, he has sunk his country deeper and deeper since taking office.  Which is what you get when you elect leftists.  I could cite examples closer to home, but this is about the South Atlantic.

Here is a possible solution.  And the United Nations could moderate this, so long as there is a big enough pay out for those involved in THAT culture of corruption.  First, Argentina signs a treaty acknowledging the rights of the United Kingdom to maintain the Falkland Islands (not the Malvinas).  In return for signing that treaty, the United Kingdom will impose a moratorium on petroleum exploration for at least ten years AND will purchase energy at a reasonable rate from Argentina.  If the rates exceed an agreed upon international pricing level, and after the ten year moratorium has passed, the United Kingdom may resume petroleum exploration.

UK gets to keep their islands, and future petro reserves.  Argentina gets some needed capital AND they get to look like the good guys.

Will never happen.