Someone in Washington DC has chosen to create a quarrel between the US and the United Kingdom regarding the Falkland Islands. In truth, the American view of the Falklands has never been especially helpful to Britain. Though individual members of the Reagan administration were generous and sympathetic to the UK when Argentina invaded the islands in 1982, others wanted to maintain friendly relations with the Buenos Aires military junta.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
Not much has changed since then. The Pentagon leaker will have been as keen on pleasing Argentine President Javier Milei as he was on irritating London. President Milei, a maverick showman right-winger, is considered a soulmate of Donald Trump. It appears that, as payback for Sir Keir Starmer's hesitant and lukewarm support for Mr Trump's war in Iran, the US could review its policy of 'endorsing European claims to long-standing imperial possessions' such as the Falklands.
This is, of course, ridiculous and ill-mannered, especially on the eve of the King's visit to the US. The Falklands are not a 'colonial possession' but free islands, where British people live under British protection by their own clear choice.
Referendum and Self-Determination
There is no doubt about this. In 2013 the Falklands government held a referendum on the issue. On a 92 per cent turnout, 99.8 per cent voted to stay British. Indeed, it is various British governments, not the Falklanders themselves, who have since the 1940s sought to make the islands less British, most notably through notorious plans for a 'leaseback' arrangement.
Since 1982, when many brave servicemen died to retake the islands after the Argentine invasion, such deals have simply not been an option for any serious British politician. The Pentagon should note that a colonial power being forced by its subjects to stay in possession is pretty much the opposite of imperialism.
Strategic and Economic Considerations
Perhaps the new US attitude has something to do with recent discoveries of substantial oilfields in Falklands waters, which are due to come on stream in 2028. Argentina arrogantly claims all oil found in the area as its own. But responsible powers should not allow or encourage any such dispute to develop. There should certainly be no need for a repeat of the perilous, costly 1982 Task Force.
For 40 years now, the modern airfield at Mount Pleasant in the Falklands has allowed Britain to swiftly reinforce and resupply its modest garrison there. As long as the Government does so in a timely fashion, and makes its resolve clear, all should be well.
Military Readiness and Warning
So we should certainly not now be redeploying a vital air-to-air refuelling tanker, normally based in the Falklands, to join in the Middle East conflict. It should fly back to the South Atlantic, and the Pentagon should be informed. As long as we maintain proper readiness, Argentina would fear to attempt an opposed landing, unless President Milei wants to share the fate of his forerunner General Galtieri, whose decision to launch the failed 1982 war ended in defeat.
Galtieri lived out his days in disgrace after narrowly avoiding prison. Interestingly, yesterday was 44 years to the day that Margaret Thatcher urged the British people to 'rejoice' after the Royal Marines recaptured South Georgia in the first victory of that war. It is generally unwise to underestimate this country.
