Why does britain want the falklands

Contemporary accounts written by Charles Darwin and Robert FitzRoy , captain of the HMS Beagle, suggest however that some settlers of various nationality who had been living there were actually encouraged to stay. Argentina relies on the ancient legal principle of uti possidetis juris , widely used in post-colonial South America and Africa, which says that all the territory of the former Spanish colony became Argentinian after independence.

So the argument is: the Falklands were rightfully Spanish; then they became Argentinian until , when they were illegally taken by force. Various Argentinian governments have also made the point that the archipelago is much closer geographically, which is certainly true but not usually relevant in law.

There will be two sides to that story. That is the principle of self-determination, as enshrined in the United Nations charter. But the UN also stands for de-colonisation, and Argentina says the ownership of the archipelago is a hangover from the days of British Imperialism.

As far as the UN is concerned, the Falklands dispute essentially boils down to the question of which principle — the dismantling of the old colonial system or the right of self-determination — should prevail. The Falkland Islands are among 10 former British colonies on the list, which the UN began compiling in as a kind of roll-call of shame for the remaining colonial powers.

But the UN recognises the right of those territories to self-determination. The British maintained possession and control, and peopled it. The civilian population in the Islands, who had sought permission from Britain to live there, were invited to stay. All but two of them, with their partners, did so.

A year later, a small, permanent British administration was established. With an increasing population, in Stanley was founded, and remains our Capital to this day. We enjoyed a peaceful existence until 1st April , when an Argentine military force invaded our home. For 74 days we lived under foreign occupation, until our liberation by British forces on 14th June Nearly Falkland Islands, British and Argentine lives were lost as a result of this act of aggression.

Since , our lives have been transformed following the establishment of commercial fisheries. Financially self-sufficient and almost entirely self-governing, we determine our own future and way of life. Our community today has been formed through voluntary immigration and settlement over the course of nearly two hundred years.

We are a diverse society, with people from over 60 nations having made the Islands their home. At out heart are those Falkland Islanders whose families have been in the Islands for nine generations. For years Falkland Islanders have travelled to United Nations to share the wishes of our people and to correct inaccuracies and misrepresentations about our home.

The Spanish Government protested about the French settlement and Bougainville was forced to surrender his interests in the Islands in return for an agreed sum of money. In total, the Falklands War lasted 10 weeks and saw Brits, Argentinians and three native Falklanders killed.

Its grand gesture had spectacularly backfired. No such qualms were evident at The Sun. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Recommended Families able to visit Falklands War graves after remains identified. Already subscribed? Log in. Forgotten your password?