Falkland Islands Conflict Rises Anew

The Recent Falklands Conflict **originally drafted March 16th, 2013

The vast majority of Western civilization tends to display favor toward Great Britain in its most recent conflict over control of the Falkland Islands. Despite this being a recurring theme between Argentina and the United Kingdom, interest worldwide has once again been sparked. Special consideration should be noted when it comes to this affair, as the Falkland Islands are disputed to have originally belonged to Argentina and a brief war was ignited in 1982 in the attempts to regain and maintain control of the islands. Some would say because of its economically sound location and promising resources. Viewing this case ethically could provide deeper insight as to why these islands should belong to the Argentine government. 

The Falkland Islands, otherwise known as Islas Malvinas by the Argentine authority has been the center of international conflict between the two nations ever since the United Kingdom's official acquisition in the early 19th century. Issues of ownership were apparent and violent even before Argentina was declared an independent nation from Spain as recognized by Great Britain in 1825. Delegates from the city of Buenos Aires decreed in 1829 that the islands were to be under military and political command of the newly formed Argentine government, followed by protests from Britain. However, the British government re-established authority in 1833 and eventually declared the Falkland Islands to be colonized. A year later General Rosas offered to relinquish any claim to sovereignty in order for the Argentine debt to the City of London be considered repaid, an offer that was adamantly refused. The fact that Argentina took no modern sovereign action until 34 years later and then with no actions taken again until 1941; it is what allowed Britain to maintain favor in its command of the islands. These facts cannot be ignored but there are others involved that have been forcibly ignored for decades. Such as the fact Argentina was a slow developing country, plagued by nepotism and constant outside coercions from rivaling nations, of whom which were determined to plunder Argentina's natural resources and continue to do so.

The United Kingdom is reporting Argentina's "new found interest" in an almost subtle form of propaganda. It is claimed by members of British parliament that the possible discovery of abundant oil reserves in the territory of the islands is Argentina's sole motivation for reclamation. Foreign Prime Minister of Argentina Hector Timerman announced that he believes Great Britain's position is the one seeking solely to benefit from harvesting the oil reserves and, that "one of these companies, Desire Petroleum, estimated that a potential 3.5 billion barrels of oil and nine trillion cubic feet of natural gas could lie within the Falklands' territorial waters, potentially worth at least £25 billion", (Alsop 2013). While Foreign Prime Minister Hector Timerman publicly admits that he wants Argentina to profit from the oil, he profusely admonishes the idea that it is Argentina's only interest, and he firmly believes the Falkland Islands will be under Argentine control within 20 years.

It is without a doubt that Argentinians are impassioned about this issue because it is felt that they have consistently been taken advantage of over the centuries by European nations, as well as the political interventions by the U.S. Dirty dealings and corruption have run rampant among politicians as outside sources have put pressure on the government to yield valuable resources for less than half their worth. Interviews with Argentinians express the only desire is that justice is brought forth and sanctity is returned to their country in the hopes to better the nation's future as a whole.

On the account of a new census done last year, 2012, six out of ten residents inhabiting the island identify themselves as "Falkland Islanders", with their own independent government. A question that should be asked then is if they should relinquish their rights as British citizens. It is apparent however, these "independent colonists" would never do such a thing; enjoying the benefits they receive as both islander and citizen of the United Kingdom. It also reported that with the possibility of oil exploration, the residents of the island will become significantly wealthier. Another question that should be raised is whether or not it is ethically relevant to aid an impoverished nation in great need of what they consider to be their own resources. First world countries have repeatedly and blatantly exploited Argentina due to its inability to properly regulate and defend its territories. The return of the Falkland Islands would do much to restore Argentina's wealth and give the country a fighting chance to repair itself.