Jack Ford, chair of the Falkland Islands legislative assembly, has responded to a recent article by Simon Jenkins, arguing that the islands are British because that is the wish of the people who live there, many of whom can trace their roots back 10 generations. Ford emphasizes that self-determination is a fundamental right enshrined in the UN charter and has been the position of successive UK governments with strong cross-party support.
2013 referendum and modern relationship
Ford notes that in 2013, islanders made their position clear when 99.8%, on a turnout of 92%, voted in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory. He describes the relationship with the UK as mutually beneficial, not one-sided or transactional. New economic developments in the Falklands are creating thousands of jobs and billions of pounds of investment in the UK, and the UK military presence in the islands provides a valuable training ground and protects wider UK interests in the region.
Argentinian perspectives
Marcelo Alberto Albarenque, an Argentinian reader, welcomes Jenkins' piece as confirmation of good sense and goodwill on both sides. He recalls the 1970s leaseback talks as a period of fruitful dialogue before the 1982 war. He argues that the freeze in relations carries a cost, preventing both countries from building on historic ties in areas like investment, tourism, cultural exchange, and energy security. He notes that Argentina is home to many of British descent and that the claim to the islands is not going away.
Lucian Comoy, who has a foot in both camps, suggests that while the notion of Argentinian sovereignty is taught in schools, the vast majority of the population would be happy to see the issue resolved. He notes that Argentinians understand why islanders might not wish to be governed by whatever government is in the Casa Rosada, and suspect that Britain's stubbornness is about money, specifically oil and fish.
