Argentina and the Falkland Islands
- By Richard Branson -
- Jan 28, 2012
In beautiful Argentina on the way to Antarctica with Al Gore and a fascinating group of scientists and experts.
It’s 30 years since military dictators in Argentina led by General Galtieri chose to invade the Falklands. Sadly both Britain and Argentina lost many young men in the conflict. The positive outcome of Argentina’s defeat was the overthrow of the dictators' despicable regime in Argentina that had rounded up and killed over 30,000 of their own people (The Disappeared).
They also rounded up 500 pregnant women who disagreed with their regime. They cruelly waited for them to give birth, so that they could take the babies for themselves or their friends and then murdered the mothers. There is now a wonderful group of the mothers of these women (the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo) led be Estela Carlotto who have created the first genetic data bank in the municipal hospital using their own genes to try to track down their grandchildren who were so cruelly stolen 30-35 years ago.
Out of the 500 babies who went missing, 100 have now found their real identity and many have chosen to take back their original names. This year is the 30th anniversary of the fall of these dictators, but it is also the 30th anniversary of the invasion of the Falklands. Rather than celebrating the fall of these dictators, the rulers of Argentina are pushing once again for sovereignty of the Falklands.
Because of the cruel recent history of Argentina, the Falkland Islanders prefer to be ruled by Britain. It was nearly 250 years ago that the first families arrived in the Falklands. They were 400 miles away from the nearest country, and nobody was claiming them at that time. That said the people of Argentina now generally feel that the Falklands should be part of Argentina. However, it would be too soon after the invasion of the Falklands for the people to change their sovereignty. But if over the next 100 years Argentina remains a democracy and the majority of the Falkland Islanders vote to change it, then one day that could perhaps become a reality. In the meantime, politicians in Argentina will not help the mood of the Islanders by attempting embargos, et cetera.
One suggestion. That is that the islanders consider using some of their royalties from any oil that is found around the Falklands to help charities in Argentina. It would be a good gesture and it is always right to help one’s neighbours. And if the oil finds are considerable, the islanders would be well able to afford it.
On another note, I would highly recommend the film The Iron Lady. It also has some powerful footage from the conflict, well worth a watch if you haven’t seen it.
By Richard Branson. Founder of Virgin Group
